Objective To understand the dynamic variation trend of limb circumference and its muscle attenuation of ICU patients in plateau area during hospitalization. Methods A total of 109 ICU patients who were hospitalized in Qinghai Provincial People's Hospital were selected as the research subjects. Their general data, Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS2002) score, and Acute Psychology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ (APACHEⅡ ) score were collected. Patients' bilateral circumferences of upper arm, thigh, and calf were measured 24 hours after ICU admission, and 48 and 72 hours after ICU admission, as well as 5, 7, and 10 days after ICU admission by employing flexible tape measure combined with measurement mark positioning technique, respectively. Results (1) NRS2002 score among 109 patients was 5.63±2.36, and APACHEⅡ score was 20.19±6.75. (2) Limb circumference among 109 patients at 72 hours after ICU admission was reduced as compared with at 24 and 48 hours after ICU admission, and circumferences of right upper arm, left thigh, and right calf at 48 hours after ICU admission were smaller as compared with at 24 hours after ICU admission (P<0.05). (3) Limb circumference among 81 patients on 5 days after ICU admission was reduced as compared with at 24, 48 and 72 hours after ICU admission (P<0.05). (4) Limb circumference among 54 patients on 7 days after ICU admission was reduced as compared with at 24, 48 and 72 hours, and on 5 days after ICU admission (P<0.05). (5) Limb circumference among 39 patients on 10 days after ICU admission was reduced as compared with at 24, 48 and 72 hours, and on 5 and 7 days after ICU admission (P<0.05). Conclusion ICU patients in plateau area were at a relatively high nutritional risk and have more serious condition. Muscle attenuation begins at 48 hours of ICU admission, and it gradually increases with the extension of length of hospital stays.