Medical-Fitness Technician
Certification Course
Part E: Providing Med-Fit Services (LM:39-44)
Certification Course
Part E: Providing Med-Fit Services (LM:39-44)
Learning Module 40:
Health Risk Analysis
Health Risk Analysis
Study the Module and do the Lab.
Learning Objectives
- Know the components of the Health Risk Analysis
- Become familiar with the form for documenting a Health Risk Analysis
Each Medical-Fitness Assessment has two components. The first component is a Health Risk Analysis related to the client's weight. So, your first task is to get your client's body measurements. Some client's are very sensitive about this issue and get uncomfortable when a younger and/or much more fit individual gets "personal" with them about their weight and body composition.
Getting "exact" body measurements is not as important as making sure the client is comfortable and willing to continue, as long as the information being collected is reasonably accurate. As a Medical-Fitness Technician, it is important for YOU to:
After your Client's Profile (intake) is complete, briefly explain the next step:
To get your client's Height:
To get your client's Weight:
To get your client's Waist Circumference:
Getting "exact" body measurements is not as important as making sure the client is comfortable and willing to continue, as long as the information being collected is reasonably accurate. As a Medical-Fitness Technician, it is important for YOU to:
- Be comfortable doing your job with all body shapes and sizes.
- Be "disinterested" in the numbers -- only interested in the client's wellbeing.
- Never be judgmental. A person's weight or body shape or composition does not define who that person is.
- Realize that the tougher cases are ideal opportunities for you to gain valuable experience.
After your Client's Profile (intake) is complete, briefly explain the next step:
- Inform your client - "The next step is your Health Risk Analysis."
- Explain - "To do that we need to get 3 measurements: height, weight, and waist circumference."
- Most client's will be perfectly at ease and ready to get started on what they came to the clinic to get done.
- A few clients will be more or less resistant to the process, even if on a subconscious level.
- If you sense any hesitancy, ask - "Do you have any questions before we get started?"
- Field their questions and/or concerns as tactfully (and quickly) as possible with reassurance and encouragement.
- Even if the client seems to have doubts, press forward - "Let's start with your height."
To get your client's Height:
- Know your own height, so you can compare "heights."
- While you and your client are both standing face-to-face, ask - "How tall are you?"
- Even though the client answers with certainty, and the response seems accurate, offer to measure your client's height, since it has probably been a while since he/she last checked it.
- Offer to measure your client's height directly - "Let's get a current measurement."
- Use the clinic's height bar to get an accurate measurement.
- Write-in the client's Height as feet' and inches".
- Also calculate (mentally) and write-in the client's height in total inches.
- If the client height includes a half-inch or more, round up to the next whole inch.
To get your client's Weight:
- Escort client to the weight scale.
- Casually ask your client - "How much do you weigh?"
- Most clients are somewhat reluctant to say in fear their estimate will be proven wrong.
- Do not push for an answer, but asking them is important to elicit their feelings and for you to then respond accordingly.
- Offer to measure your client's weight directly - "Let's get a current measurement since most people's weight fluctuates."
- Use the clinic's weight scale and get an accurate measurement.
- Write-in the client's Weight in pounds.
- Let your client respond to the scale's reading however they want. (Don't start arguing.)
- If the client insists that the clinic's scale is wrong, accept their objection.
- However, be firm about using the clinic's scale's reading for "internal consistency" of measurements.
- Follow-up Assessments using the same scale for the client will indicate accurate changes in their weight.
To get your client's Waist Circumference:
- Escort your client to the WC Measuring Station.
- Do NOT ask your client what their Waist Circumference is. (They will get it wrong and will probably be embarrassed.)
- Hand your client a cloth body tape measure and instruct them - "Wrap this tape measure around your waist."
- Adjust the placement of the tape so that it is horizontal and measures their waist's greatest circumference.
- Hold the tape at the point of overlap and let the end of the tape drop from around your client's waist.
- Note the distance of the tape from the end to the point of overlap.
- Write-in the clients' Waist Circumference (WC) to the nearest half-inch.
- Let your client respond to their WC discovery however they want.
- If the client is distressed, encourage them that they are in the right place, because a personal fitness program will help them lose weight and inches and help them keep it off.
After getting all 3 body measurements, sit down with your client at a consultation desk to analyze and discuss the results.
BMI Chart, WHR Scale, and Health Risk Chart:
Weight-Related Health Risk Analysis:
- Print the 2 forms linked above in color and on slightly heavier stock paper (24-28 lb).
- Cut the forms in half and then laminate the 2 different half-sheets back-to-back. (Do not laminate first, and then cut.)
- You should have 2 half sheets with the BMI Chart in color on one side and the WHR Scale & Health Risk Chart in color on the other side laminated together.
- Add the 2 laminated half-sheets to the bottom of your stack of forms on your clip board.
Weight-Related Health Risk Analysis:
- Hand your client one of the BMI Charts while you calculate your client's Waist:Height Ratio.
- Round-off to the second decimal point.
- Write-in the client's WHR.
- While you are looking at your copy of the BMI Chart, instruct your client how to find their BMI using their copy.
- If the client's Height or Weight is "off the chart," use your BMI Calculator App on your smart phone.
- Use the WHR & Health Risk Charts on the reverse side to determine your client's Weight Category & Health Risk Level.
- If the client's BMI & WHR contradict, explain how their WHR factors into the interpretation of their BMI.
- Write-in the client's BMI and their Category (both Weight / Risk Level) AFTER having factored in their WHR.
- Make sure the client understands and accepts their BMI-WHR weight-related Health Risk by referring to the charts.
- Using the BMI Chart again, instruct your client how to find their "Healthy Weight Range" for their Height
- Help your client select an appropriate Target Weight" (TW) -- a specific weight within their HWR for their Height and Gender.
- Finally, calculate and write-in how many Pounds Overweight (POW) your client is. (Review LM 28, if necessary.)
After the client's body measurements have been analyzed, engage the client in a short, but meaningful, discussion to help them express their feelings about their weight, their health risks, and what they want to do about it. This is where many clients want to discuss their medical problems (diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, sleep apnea, etc.).
- Do not get into their medical history and treatment, but ask: "Are you being treated by your physician for any chronic conditions?"
- For any lifestyle-related Chronic Condition other than obesity, indicate with an "X" for Yes and a "O" for No.
- Be encouraging. Obesity and other chronic conditions are reversible using safe and effective therapeutic lifestyle therapies.
- The risks of chronic sedentary diseases decrease with weight-loss (even just 10 pounds) and improved fitness.
- Diets, pills, and surgeries are usually NOT effective longterm, and they do not restore health.
- The solution is a healthy lifestyle -- living healthfully, being more active, and getting more fit!
- Ask the client -- "In addition to a Medical-Fitness Program, would you like a free consult with a Medical-Nutrition Technician regarding healthy foods and eating patterns?"
- Ask non-obese clients for general health promotion and weight gain prevention, and ask obese clients for weight loss.
- If Yes, write: "Free Medical-Nutrition Assessment" as the first step for developing a Nutrition Plan.
- After the Assessment at check-out, be sure to give your client a brochure on the Free Medical-Nutrition Assessment.
- If the client's BMI is > 35 or is not a candidate for calisthenic exercises be sure to use the 10-min Aerobic Test in the next section.