1. Measuring waist and hip circumference Quality assurance

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. Quality assurance of waist and hip circumference measurements
Training of the personnel
Checking the equipment
Audit visits
Evaluation of the measurement data during the fieldwork

4. Quality control by the coordinating office
Audit visits during the fieldwork
Observations by fieldwork coordinators and/or trainers
External audits
Monitoring the quality of the measurement data:
the distribution of terminal digit of the measurement by measurer
the distribution of the terminal digits for full centimeters by measurer
mean and standard deviation of the measurements by measurer
number and reasons why measurements are not done
daily work load (number of measurements per day by measurer)
Feedback to the measurers and re-training if needed

5. Acknowledgements
Slides prepared by: Annamari Lundqvist, Hanna Tolonen, Päivikki Koponen
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

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