1. Height and Weight How To Measure
Vital Signs
Height and Weight
How To Measure

2. Equipment Used Mechanical Physician Scales
Most accurate
Need to be calibrated
Typically measure up to 400 pounds
Individuals that exceed 400 pounds are weighed on a Platform scale

3. Calibrating a Scale
Set an object with a known weight on the scale (i.e. a 5 pound dumbbell)
Take note of the weight the scale gives
Turn the calibration knob until the scale reads exactly what the weight of the known object is
Much of this step is trial and error
Calibration Knob

4. Worlds Heaviest Human Being
Peak weight 1,230 pounds
Confined to his bed and unable to walk on his own for years
Died at the age of 48

5. Taking Height Measurement
Pull the arm of the scale above the height you estimate the person to be
Have the client remove their shoes, step onto the scale with back to the scale, stand up straight with heels together and head level.
Have the client take a deep breath in, hold the breath and look straight ahead.
Height is recorded in inches

6. Convert Height into Inches
Remember, there are 12 inches in 1 foot
So to convert a measurement of 6 feet 3 inches into inches you
6X12 = 72
72+3 = 75 inches

7. Convert Height into Inches
Convert the following measurements into inches:
Correct answers given at end of powerpoint.
Original measurement
Inches A
5’6” B
5’10” C
4’8” D
6’6” E
6’4”

8. Taking Weight Measurement
Have client remove shoes and as much other clothing as practical and possible
Clothing and footwear can add 3 to 6 pounds
Ask client to remove anything in pockets
Ask client if he or she knows about how much they weigh
Assists you in setting the weight on the scale in a general area; also avoids embarrassment if you misjudge a person at a too-heavy weight
Weight is recorded in pounds or kilograms

9. Convert Weight into Kilograms
Simply divide the weight in pounds by 2.2
So 150 pounds in kilograms is
150/2.2=68.2 kg
You may see weight recorded in kilograms to convert to pounds multiply by 2.2
So 95.5 kg in pounds is
95.5*2.2 = pounds

10. Convert Weight into Kilograms
Convert the following measurements into kilograms:
Correct answers given at end of powerpoint.
Original measurement
Kilograms A
100 pounds B
125 pounds C
175 pounds D
260 pounds E
315 pounds

11. Convert Weight into pounds
Convert the following measurements into pounds:
Correct answers given at end of powerpoint.
Original measurement
Pounds A
48 kg B
62 kg C
77 kg D
92 kg E
111 kg

12. Calculating Body Mass Index (BMI)
BMI puts weight and height into a formula
There are 2 formulas to calculate BMI
kg/m2
703 x lb/in2
We will use 703 x lb/in2
Remember order of operations
Calculate the BMI for someone that is 5’6” and weighs 130 pounds
Put height into inches=66”
703 x 130/662
703 x (130)/4356
703 x
20.98 – Normal Classification, low risk of disease

13. Calculating The following BMI’s
Correct answers on final slides
Calculate and classify the following BMI’s
Height= 6’2” and Weight= 246 pounds
Height= 4’11” and Weight= 97 pounds
Height= 6’4” and Weight= 315 pounds
Height= 5’3” and Weight= 143 pounds
Height= 5’6” and Weight= 178 pounds

14. Chart Noting Include: Height in inches Weight in pounds
Calculation of BMI
Classification of BMI, including disease risk
Any additional recommendations given

15. Chart Noting – Practice, See last slides for examples
Height: 5’7”, Weight 148 pounds
You will need to calculate and classify BMI
Include recommendation

16. Chart Noting – Practice, See last slides for examples
Height: 6’1”, Weight 236 pounds
You will need to calculate and classify BMI
Include recommendation

17. Chart Noting – Practice, See last slides for examples
Height: 5’10”, Weight 249 pounds
You will need to calculate and classify BMI
Include recommendation

18. Chart Noting – Practice, See last slides for examples
Height: 5’2”, Weight 107 pounds
You will need to calculate and classify BMI
Include recommendation

19. Chart Noting – Practice, See last slides for examples
Height: 5’6”, Weight 185 pounds
You will need to calculate and classify BMI
Include recommendation

20. Chart Noting – Practice, See last slides for examples
Height: 5’9”, Weight 119 pounds
You will need to calculate and classify BMI
Include recommendation

21. Chart Noting – Practice, See last slides for examples
Height: 5’5”, Weight 263 pounds
You will need to calculate and classify BMI
Include recommendation

22. Height and Weight Answers to Classifications and Chart Noting
Vital Signs
Height and Weight
Answers to Classifications and Chart Noting

23. Convert Height into Inches
Answer Key
Convert the following measurements into inches:
Correct answers given at end of powerpoint.
Original measurement
Inches A
5’6”
66” B
5’10”
70” C
4’8”
56” D
6’6”
78” E
6’4”
76”

24. Convert Weight into Kilograms
Answer Key
Convert the following measurements into kilograms:
Correct answers given at end of powerpoint.
Original measurement
Kilograms A
100 pounds
45.5 kg B
125 pounds
56.8 kg C
175 pounds
79.5 kg D
260 pounds
118.2 kg E
315 pounds
143.2 kg

25. Convert Weight into pounds
Answer Key
Convert the following measurements into pounds:
Correct answers given at end of powerpoint.
Original measurement
Pounds A
48 kg
105.6 lb B
62 kg
136.4 lb C
77 kg
169.4 lb D
92 kg
202.4 lb E
111 kg
244.2 lb

26. Chart Noting – Practice
Your response may vary slightly
Height: 5’7”, Weight 148 pounds
You will need to calculate and classify BMI
Date, Time Pts ht 67 inches and wt is 148 pounds. Pts BMI is 23.2 which is normal and there is low risk for disease. Recommended pt continue with current level of exercise and diet. Signature with title.

27. Chart Noting – Practice
Your response may vary slightly
Height: 6’1”, Weight 236 pounds
You will need to calculate and classify BMI
Date, Time Pts ht 73 inches and wt is 236 pounds. Pts BMI is 31.1 which is obesity class 1 and there is a high risk for disease. Recommended pt increase amount of exercise and make modifications to diet. Signature with title.

28. Chart Noting – Practice
Your response may vary slightly
Height: 5’10”, Weight 249 pounds
You will need to calculate and classify BMI
Date, Time Pts ht 70 inches and wt is 249 pounds. Pts BMI is 35.7 which is obesity class 2 and there is a very high risk for disease. Recommended pt increase amount of exercise and make modifications to diet. Signature with title.

29. Chart Noting – Practice
Your response may vary slightly
Height: 5’2”, Weight 107 pounds
You will need to calculate and classify BMI
Date, Time Pts ht 62 inches and wt is 107 pounds. Pts BMI is 19.6 which is normal and there is a low risk for disease. Recommended pt maintain current level of exercise and diet. Signature with title.

30. Chart Noting – Practice
Your response may vary slightly
Height: 5’6”, Weight 185 pounds
You will need to calculate and classify BMI
Date, Time Pts ht 66 inches and wt is 185 pounds. Pts BMI is 29.9 which is overweight and there is an increased risk for disease. Recommended pt increase amount of exercise and make modifications to diet. Signature with title.

31. Chart Noting – Practice
Your response may vary slightly
Height: 5’9”, Weight 119 pounds
You will need to calculate and classify BMI
Date, Time Pts ht 69 inches and wt is 119 pounds. Pts BMI is 17.6 which is underweight and there is an increased risk for disease. Recommended pt see a dietitian to increase caloric intake. Signature with title.

32. Chart Noting – Practice
Your response may vary slightly
Height: 5’11”, Weight 302 pounds
You will need to calculate and classify BMI
Date, Time Pts ht 71 inches and wt is 302 pounds. Pts BMI is 42.1 which is obesity class 3 and there is a very high risk for disease. Recommended pt increase amount of exercise and make modifications to diet. Signature with title.