Biometric screening can provide an accurate representation of overall health.
Biometrics is the process of applying statistical techniques to biological information. To obtain the health biometrics of an individual, a technician collects the person's biological data, and then evaluates it to determine his or her risk levels for diseases or other conditions. Information collected includes blood pressure, height, weight, waist circumference and a blood sample for analysis. Results outside of normal classifications indicate increased risk for conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and other health issues.
Preparation for Screening
Individuals must fast for at least 12 hours to prepare for a health biometrics screening. Eating food and drinking anything other than water will interfere with the blood glucose testing and will not yield accurate results. Some testing facilities ask that individuals avoid salty foods, alcoholic beverages and exercise for 24 hours prior to the screening.
BMI and Waist Circumference
The body mass index (BMI) measurement represents the relationship between weight and height. To calculate BMI, multiply the individual's weight in pounds by 703, and then divide the answer by the height in inches squared. A healthy BMI falls within the range of 18.5 to 24.9. A BMI between 25.29.9 is considered overweight and a BMI over 30 is classified as obese.
A waist circumference measurement, taken with a tape measure around the bare abdomen (directly above the hipbone), indicates the amount of fat carried around the waistline. According to the National Institutes of Health, extra weight around the waist is indicative of a higher risk of health problems including type II diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. Women should have a measurement of less than 35 inches and men's waists should measure less than 40 inches to minimize risks.
Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is a measurement of the force of blood pushing against the walls of blood vessels. The measurement includes systolic pressure, which is the amount of pressure when the heart is contracting, and diastolic pressure, which is the amount of pressure when the heart is resting between beats. Normal blood pressure readings are below 120/80 mm Hg. High blood pressure readings are above 140/90 mm Hg. Any reading between those two ranges is classified as prehypertension.
Cholesterol and Glucose
Measuring the body's cholesterol and glucose levels involves analyzing a sample of blood. This can include a full blood draw or a prick of the finger. A complete cholesterol panel includes results for total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), TC/HDL ratio and triglycerides. Normal levels for cholesterol are below 200 mg/dL for TC, below 70 mg/dL for LDL, below 40 mg/dL for HDL for men or 50 mg/dL for women, and below 150 mg/dL for triglycerides.
A fasting blood glucose test is a good indicator of risk for developing type II diabetes. Test results below 100 mg/dl are normal.
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