Everyone knows very well about the important link between the body and health.

The weight and height, together with the body's measurements, the muscular perimeters and the bone diameters allow us to know the composition of our body and to check its evolution. These measurements should really be taken by an expert and serve to analyse the patient's body composition and assess its true needs.

To complete our nutritional questionnaire and to prepare a diet that suits your personal needs, you will have to tell us your body weight (st/lb or kg/g) and height (ft/in or m/cm), since the other body measurements are impossible to be taken from a long-distance.

You can also go to any pharmacy or specialised center to get weighed and measured. But if, for whatever reason, you cannot go and you have to do it yourself at home, it is recommended that you keep in mind the following instructions and advice before weighing and measuring yourself.

Weight

• Try weighing yourself in the morning on an empty stomach and after urination. It's even better and more accurate, if you could try to always weigh yourself at the same time.
• Use a digital scale with a weight accuracy in lb/g (or measured by every 16oz/100g).
• The measurements should be taken with the least amount of clothing on possible, or otherwise, always wear the same clothes when you take your measures.

Height

If possible, let someone help you measure your height. Please take into account the following aspects:

• Try to measure yourself first thing in the morning, because throughout the day the body experiences variations.
• You must measure yourself barefoot and with your feet close together.
• The heels, buttocks, upper part of the back and back of the skull should completely lean against the wall, as in the image.
• To correctly measure your height, use a piece of paper to mark the highest point of your skull on the wall. Next, with a measuring stick, measure from the floor up to the mark on the wall.

Try to follow these instructions when you are going to take the measurements so that the results are as reliable as possible.

Body Measurements

Ideally, someone could help you take your measurements, so that they are most accurate.

You will need a measuring tape, where the measures are given with the precision of 1 in/1mm. For the correct measures, you must stand in a straight and relaxed position. Those measurements that do require this, will have to be taken from the right side.

To take measures: you will have to place the measuring tape on where you want to measure, in a firm but not squeezing position. Where the tape crosses itself that is the measure that you have to take as your reference.

Women:

Waist: measured in the narrowest part of your torso, located above your belly button and below your rib cage.

Stomach: it is the level your belly button is on.

Hip: measured standing up, with the legs together, which corresponds to the maximum circumference (the largest part) of your buttocks.

Thigh: it is taken approximately at 1.57 in/4 cm from the groin. You must stand with your legs slightly apart and the weight equally distributed between both legs. This is one of those measures that should be performed on the right leg.

Men:

Chest: it is measured a little bit above your nipples.

Waist: it is measured in the narrowest part of your torso, located above your belly button and below your rib cage.

Stomach: it is the level your belly button is on.