1. Measuring weight using beam balance scale

2. Based on EHES Manual, Part B. Fieldwork Procedures, 2nd edition (2016)
Available at:
These slides can be used freely, translated and adapted to national use (e.g. concerning the equipment). However, it is important to keep in mind that no changes should be made to the measurement techniques, which need to be standardized.

3. Equipment Beam balance scale Calibration weights
Carpenter’s level (if the scale has not a built in level)

4. Checking and calibration
Daily or when a new examination site is set up:
Place the scale on hard floor
Check that the scale is horizontal (by carpenter's level or level in the device)

5. Checking and calibration
Balance with both sliding weights at zero and the balance bar aligned
In the beginning and at the end of each examination day
Use standard (calibration) weights to check the scale in regular intervals
Place 10 kg or 20 kg weights one by one on the scale up to 100 kg and check that the scale works properly
If the error is greater than 0.2 kg the scale should be corrected or changed
Record the results of checking and calibration in the survey log book

6. Motivate participant Explain why weight is measured
Previous measurements may be inaccurate and not comparable to the results from other participants
Your weight is likely to vary even daily
Accurate weight is needed e.g. to calculate body mass index, which is an indicator of obesity

7. Exclusion criteria Weight is not measured if participant
is immobile or in a wheelchair and has severe difficulties in standing steady
is heavier than the upper limit of the scale
refuses

8. Clothing
Ask the participant to undress to his/her underwear or as light clothing as feasible
If the participant refuses or feels uncomfortable to undress, ask him/her at least to
take off shoes, heavy garments such as jacket, pullover, belts, heavy jewellery, and
empty pockets

9. Posture Ask the participant to stand still
in the centre of the platform
arms hanging loosely at his/her sides
weight distributed evenly on both feet

10. Before measurement
Check that both sliding weights are at zero

11. Weight measurement
Move the weights until the beam balances properly

12. Recording Record weight to the resolution of the scale
Record extra clothing, if more than underwear
If the participant is pregnant, ask and record pregnancy weeks and the weight before pregnancy separately from the measured weight
If weight is not measured, record the reason
Record the number of the measurement device used

13. Acknowledgements
Slides prepared by: Johanna Mäki-Opas, Annamari Lundqvist, Hanna Tolonen, Päivikki Koponen
Photographs: Hanna Tolonen
Measurement demonstrations by Shadia Rask, Liisa Saarikoski, Ulla Leskinen and voluntary participants
Experiences and feedback from the EHES network have been utilized in the preparation of these slides
Funding: Preparation of the slides is part of the activities of the EHES Coordinating Centre which has received funding from the EC/DG SANTÉ in through SANCO/2008/C2/02-SI EHES and Grand Agreement number , and in through Grand Agreement number /BRIDGE Health

14. Disclaimer
The views expressed here are those of the authors and they do not represent the Commission’s official position.