Weight, height, BMI and waist circumference
The medical examiner is expected to use metric units throughout. Measurements given in other
units may result in Immigration New Zealand not accepting the medical certificate.
Adults and children should be weighed standing, barefoot or in stockings/socks and wearing
lightweight clothing. Infants should be barefoot and weighed in undergarments. Weight is to be
measured in kilograms, except for infants where weight should be noted to the nearest 0.1kg.
Height is measured standing in all persons over the age of 24 months. Use a stadiometer fixed
to the wall. Measurement to the nearest centimetre or better is required. The measurement of
children less than 24 months may be of height or of length. If length was measured because the
child was unable to stand, this should be indicated, and the reason for this noted.
The medical examiner is expected to calculate the BMI for all applicants aged 18 years and older.
Measure the waist circumference of all applicants 18 years of age. With a tape measure, comfortably
measure the shortest circumference that is below the rib cage and above the umbilicus.
The medical examiner is to request fasting glucose and fasting lipids where BMI >35 or when
the waist circumference in applicants 18 years or over is greater than the following limits1:
• men: ≥ 102cm, except Asian/Indian men: ≥ 90cm
• women: ≥ 88cm, except Asian/Indian women: ≥ 80cm.
Where a patient may be in a higher risk category, with fasting bloods having been requested, the
applicant’s attitude to their condition should be explored. Please note whether they recognise a
problem exists, whether they are planning any changes to improve the situation, have they made
any changes, what success, if any, have they had etc, is all relevant information.