A biometric screening is an efficient way to assess your overall health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a biometric screening is a measurement of physical characteristics such as height, weight, body mass index, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, blood glucose, and aerobic fitness tests. Biometric screenings are used commonly in the workplace to benchmark and track changes in employee health status (Source: 1st Class Training).
There are several components to a biometric screening.
- BMI—Height, weight, body mass index. Taking measurements of your height, weight and body mass index is a good place to start because the results show whether you are overweight or within a normal weight range. A normal BMI is about 18.5 to 24.9.
- Blood pressure—High blood pressure is linked to heart disease and stroke. A healthy blood pressure should be below 120/80 mm Hg. Your doctor can help suggest exercise programs and nutrition tips to help keep blood pressure within the normal range.
- Cholesterol levels—A simple blood test can evaluate total cholesterol, HDL, VDL, and VLDL cholesterol levels. A healthy total cholesterol level is safest when below 200 mg/dL. Cholesterol levels can sometimes be managed through diet by eating less animal products and lowering saturated fats.
- Triglyceride levels—Triglycerides are commonly found in animal fat and vegetable oil. Increased triglyceride levels can put you at risk for a heart attack or stroke. Normal triglyceride levels mean there are less than 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). Triglyceride levels can also be managed through diet.
- Glucose levels—It is extremely important to have blood glucose levels within a safe range. Low blood glucose levels can lead to death, but high blood glucose levels can lead to diabetes. A healthy fasting blood sugar level is about 70–99 mg/dl.
- Extracellular and intracellular water weight—A healthy water weight percentage will vary according to age, gender and body composition. Most people have between 50 to 60 percent water weight.
- Percentage of body fat—This is the percentage of fat that is in the body, excluding everything else. Body fat is very challenging to calculate and track, and it is best calculated by a fitness trainer.
- Segmental lean analysis—Did you ever wonder how much each body part weighs? This is the test that calculates that.
- Basal metabolic rate—This is the measure of how you metabolize food. As we age, it is harder to eat whatever we want without gaining weight. Basal metabolic rate can be altered by exercise, which is increasingly important as we age to counteract BMR naturally slowing down.
If you would like to get an accurate assessment of your overall health, talk to your doctor or benefits coordinator at your place of employment. This test could help you make improvements in your daily habits to prevent disease, improve your energy levels and boost your quality of life.