Anthropometrical Tests

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Height
3. Weight
4. Body Mass Index (BMI)
5. Waist-to-hip Ratio
6. Limb Circumference
7. Blood Pressure
   1. Test Protocol
   2. Preparations for use
   3. Interpretation of Results
   4. What causes high blood pressure?
   5. Advice to help reduce the risk of high BP
8. Resting Heart Rate
9. Lung Function
10. Lung Capacity/Volume
11. Body Composition
12. Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA)
13. Omron Body Fat Measurement

Test Protocol

1. Subject rests quietly for 2 - 3 minutes before the BP is taken. During this time the operator should explain how the measurement will be taken, what the inflated cuff will feel like and what the reading actually shows.

2. Apply the sphygmomanometer cuff to the subject's upper left arm ensuring that there are no creases or twisting of the cuff or tube.

3. Inflate the cuff by pressing the 'start' button on the automatic sphygmomanometer and wait for the Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressures - and Heart Rate at Rest to be displayed.

4. If the Systolic BP is above 160mmHg and/or the Diastolic BP is above 110mmHg, then wait 2 - 3 minutes, encourage the subject to relax, then re-take the blood pressure.

As shown in the illustration, you should rest your left forearm so that the cuff is level with your heart.

Please note:

If on 3 consecutive occasions the blood pressure readings are high then the test should be discontinued and the subject should be quietly advised that any remaining tests will not be carried out and the blood pressure is currently slightly higher than expected - and you would advise them to arrange a check-up with their own doctor.