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HEIGHT MEASUREMENT

Equipment:

• Height measurement tool

Testing procedure:

1. The measure tape is to be fixed on a flat wall at two metres above the floor. The floor should ideally be a hard surface (preferably, not carpet).
2. The client is to be measured in socks or bare feet.
3. The client stands with their back to the wall and feet together with the heels, buttocks and shoulders touching the vertical plane. The head when placed in the ‘Frankfort’ plane need not be touching the wall. The ‘Frankfort’ plane is achieved when the orbitale (lower edge of the eye socket) is in the same horizontal plane as the tragion (the notch superior to the tragus of the ear). When aligned the vertex is the highest point on the skull.
4. The subject is asked to take and hold a deep breath.  Lower the height measuring device to make contact with the subject's scalp, crushing the hair.  Read and record the height in metres to nearest whole centimetre.

NB: Different postural positions combined with the effects of gravity on the compression of the spine can have significant impact on the height measured. Compression of the spine by gravity can reduce height by up to 1%. By following the set procedure variables such as time of day and inter and intra-tester variability are minimised thus reducing survey error.

WEIGHT MEASUREMENT

Equipment:

• Weight scales

Testing procedure:

1. Place the scales on a level surface, preferably not carpeted.
2. The client should be weighed in socks or bare feet with minimal clothing.
3. Ask the client to carefully step on the scale platform and remain still.
4. Ensure client is well centred, weight distributed evenly and standing vertical.
5. Read and record the weight in kilograms to the nearest 0.5 kilogram