Height
Height Measurement 
Height should be measured in all patients, so that Body Mass Index (BMI) can be calculated.The exceptions are wheelchair bound individuals, persons who have difficulty standing steady or straight, and participants with hairstyle (e.g. Afro or Mowhawk) or head dress (e.g. turban) that prevents proper use of the height measuring equipment.
Height should be measured using a stadiometer either free standing or a tape stadiometer fixed to wall. View image
Normal height measurement procedure
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Patients are asked to remove their shoes, heavy outer garments, and hair ornaments.
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The patient is asked to stand with his/her back to the height rule. The back of the head, back, buttocks, calves and heels should be touching the upright, feet together. The top of the external auditory meatus (ear canal) should be level with the inferior margin of the bony orbit (cheek bone). The patient is asked to look straight. View image
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The headpiece of the stadiometer or the sliding part of the measuring rod is lowered so that the hair (if present) is pressed flat. View image
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Height is recorded to the resolution of the height rule (i.e. nearest millimetre/half a centimetre). If the patient is taller than the measurer, the measurer should stand on a platform so that he/she can properly read the height rule. View image
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If a patient is excluded from height measurement, the reason should be recorded in the patients record.
Height measurement procedure for very tall persons
If the participant is taller than the scale of the height rule, no height measurement should be made and this fact, together with the upper limit of the height rule, should be recorded in the patient assessment.
Self-reported height
Self-reported height is not acceptable, even if the patient is immobile or refuses to have his/her height measured.


