Measuring the
waist
circumference
2nd EHES training seminar
Johanna Mäki-Opas
Why waist circumference is
measured?
• Waist circumference is
used as an indicator of
abdominal obesity and is
associated with the
cardiovascular diseases
and type 2 diabetes
Equipment
• Non-elastic measurement
tapes (200cm and 250cm)
• If feasible the full body
mirror
• Carpenter’s level
Exclusion criteria
• If participant
• is immobile or in a wheelchair
• has difficulties in standing straight
• is pregnant (20 weeks or over)
• has a hernia in stomach/pelvis area
EHES protocol for measuring
waist circumference
The participant is asked to:
• reveal the waist, by loosing the belt, lowering the
pants/skirt and lifting the shirt
• stand a small gap (10 cm) between the legs and
weight equally distributed on both legs
• stand hands hanging loosely beside the body
• The measurer palpates the
waist in order to find the
right measurement place:
• midway between the
lower rip margin and
the iliac crest
• Horizontal position of
measuring tape is verified
by
• holding the measuring
tape firmly
• by asking the participant
to turn over/or by
checking from the mirror
• The participant is asked to
breath normally; the
reading is taken at the end
of light exhale
Challenges in measuring waist
circumference
• Finding the right
measurement
place is not always
easy
Recording
• The waist circumference is recorded to the
closest 0,5 cm
• If the waist is not measured the reason should be
specified and recorded
• Self-reported waist circumference is not
acceptable
Calibration and checking
the equipment
• The length of the measurement tape should be
checked by using the calibrated length rods in
regular intervals