Introduction
Although circumferences may be viewed as easy measurements, they can give erroneous results if proper
precautions are not followed. To ensure accurate results, you should become familiar with the proper measurement
techniques and body landmarks. You should take all circumference measurements at least twice, recording them
to the nearest 1/2 inch.
When measuring circumferences, compression of the soft tissue is a problem that requires constant attention.
You should apply the tape so that it makes contact with the skin and conforms to the body surface being measured.
Do not tighten the tape so much that it compresses the skin being measured. Doing so will cause inaccurate results.
A good measuring tape will be made of plastic; cloth tapes tend to stretch with use and should not be used.
Height and weight measurements
FoodsDatabase uses your current height (as seen on your Profile page) so this measurement is unnecessary. However,
you should update your weight log to ensure your body fat calculation will be using your most current weight and not
a weight from a previous day (or week, or month!).
Measurements for males
Abdomen. Measure abdominal circumference against the skin at the naval (belly button), level and
parallel to the floor. Keep the arms at the side of the body. Record the measurement at the end of your normal,
relaxed exhalation. Round abdominal measurement down to the nearest 1/2 inch (for example, round 34-3/4 to 34-1/2).
Neck. Measure the neck circumference at a point just below the larynx (Adam's apple) and perpendicular
to the long axis of the neck. Do not place the tape measure over the Adam's apple. You should be looking straight
ahead during the measurement, with shoulders down (not hunched). The tape should be as close to horizontal as anatomically
feasible (the tape line in the front of the neck will be at the same height as the tape line in the back of the neck).
Be careful not to include the shoulder/neck muscles (trapezius) in the measurement. Round neck measurements up to the
nearest 1/2 inch (for example, round 16-1/4 inches to 16-1/2 inches).
Measurements for females
Neck. The procedure is the same as for males.
Waist. The waist circumference is taken at the narrowest point of the abdomen, usually about halfway between the navel and
the end of the sternum (breast bone). When this location is not easily found, take several measurements at probable
locations and record the smallest value. Your arms must be at the side of your body and the measurement should be taken
at the end of a normal relaxed exhalation. Round the waist measurement down to the nearest 1/2 inch and record (for example,
round 28-5/8 inches to 28-1/2 inches).
Hip. The person taking this measurement should view the person being measured from the side. Place the tape around
the hips so that it passes over the greatest protrusion of the gluteal muscles (buttocks) keeping the tape parallel to
the floor. Check front to back and side to side to be sure the tape is level with the floor before recording the measurement.
Round the hip measurement down to the nearest 1/2 inch and record (for example, round 44-3/8 inches to 44 inches).
