1. Measuring height

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. Motivate participant Explain why height is measured
Previous measurements may be inaccurate and not comparable to the results from other participants
You are likely to have lost height during the years
Accurate height is needed e.g. to calculate body mass index, which is an indicator of obesity

4. Exclusion criteria Height is not measured if participant
is immobile or in a wheelchair and has severe difficulties in standing straight
is taller than the maximum height of the stadiometer
has a hairstyle which prevents the proper use of the equipment
refuses

5. Equipment
Portable or fixed stadiometer Steps Carpenter’s level Standardized length rod

6. Checking and calibration
Daily or when a new examination site is set up:
Place the stadiometer on hard floor or use wooden platform
Check vertical and horizontal placement of the stadiometer with the carpenter’s level
Check the height of the rule by using the standardized length rod
If a fixed height rule can move during the day (e.g. it is taped on the wall), check it with standardized rod at regular intervals
Correct if the error is greater than 2 mm
Record the results of calibration and checking in the survey log book

7. Clothing and posture
Ask the participant to take off shoes, heavy outer garments and hair ornaments, head dress etc.
Ask the participant to stand still
Weight evenly on both feet in a normal standing position
Arms hanging loosely at his/her sides
Looking straight ahead
Pois?

8. Posture II Check the straight standing position from the front
Check that the back of the head, shoulder blades, buttocks and heels are touching or in line with the stadiometre

9. Posture III
Check that the ear canal is in line with the cheek bone Lower the head piece of the stadiometer so that the hair is pressed flat

10. Reading the result
Read the result from your eye level

11. Tall participants
When the participant is taller than you are, use steps

12. Recording
Record height to the nearest mm or to the resolution of the stadiometre If height is not measured, record the reason Record the number of the measurement device

13. Acknowledgements
Slides prepared by: Johanna Mäki-Opas, Annamari Lundqvist, Hanna Tolonen, Päivikki Koponen
Photographs: Hanna Tolonen
Measurement demonstrations by 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.