Measuring waist

circumference

EHES Training Material

Exclusion criteriaWaist circumference is not measured, if

participant • is immobile or in a wheelchair • has severe difficulties in standing straight • has problems in the waist area, for example a

hernia, stoma bag or recent abdominal surgery, preventing proper measurement

• is pregnant (over 20 weeks) • refuses

Equipment • Non-elastic measurement tapes (200cm and

250cm) • Full body mirror, if feasible

Posture of the subjectAsk the participant to: • reveal the waist, by

loosing the belt, lowering the pants/skirt and lifting the shirt

• stand weight evenly balanced on both legs

• keep hands hanging loosely beside the body

Measurement place• Palpate the waist in

order to find the right measurement place• midway between the

lower rib margin and the iliac rest

Position of the measurement tape

• Check the horizontal position of the tape by• holding the tape firmly • asking the participant

to turn over• moving around the

participant• checking from the

mirror (if available)

Waist measurement • Check that the tape is

not too tight or too loose • You should be able to

place one finger between the tape and the subject’s body

• Ask the participant to breath normally

• Read the waist circumference at the end of a light exhale

Note • It isn’t always easy to find the right measurement

place • Palpate and check the right place carefully

Recording • Record waist circumference to the closest 0,1 cm • Record if the measurement was done over bare

skin or over clothing• Record reason, if waist is not measured • Do not record self-reported waist circumference,

only measured values are acceptable

Acknowledgements• Slides

• Johanna Mäki-Opas, Hanna Tolonen• Photographs

• Hanna Tolonen• Measurement demonstration

• Liisa Saarikoski, Sanna Ahonen, Kari Kuulasmaa, Shadia Rask, Ulla Leskinen, Marika Strang, Katri Kilpeläinen