What to know
Height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and other health-related data in electronic health records (EHRs) can benefit patient care. Individual data can improve screening and coordination of care. These data can also help health care practices in quality improvements and support population-based health activities.
Interoperability standards
Interoperability standards facilitate data sharing among different systems. The standards do this by supporting the underlying processes of information exchange. Specifically, HL7 is a standard for exchanging information among health care or medical systems. The following interoperability standards can be used to capture and document height, weight, and related care in EHRs:
Statistical programs for CDC growth charts
CDC offers statistical programs that calculate percentiles and z-scores for BMI, weight, height, and head circumference from growth charts for children and adolescents. The 2022 Extended BMI-for-Age metrics are also incorporated into the code, which can help integrate an EHR with CDC's extended growth charts.
Growth Chart Training
BMI calculators
CDC's Child and Teen BMI Calculator calculates BMI, BMI percentile, and BMI category for children and teens 2 through 19. It also plots BMI percentile on CDC's growth charts and interprets the results.
BMI alone is not intended to be a sole diagnostic measure of weight. However, BMI, BMI percentile, and growth charts can help inform the overall picture of the person being measured. Read more about BMI Screening.
Adult BMI
Clinical and Community Data Initiative
CDC's Clinical and Community Data Initiative (CODI) brings together people, processes, and technology to improve the use of data for understanding health. CODI helps address common challenges across different settings. Such challenges include standardizing, linking, and sharing individual health-related information.
CODI leverages existing IT tools in new ways. It links individual-level, longitudinal data across clinical and community organizations while protecting patient privacy. The CODI Toolbox is for researchers, network partners, implementers, and others interested in this infrastructure.
Resources
CDC-Recognized Family Healthy Weight Programs
Evidence-based programs ready to implement in clinical, community, and public health settings.
CDC's Growth Chart Training
Interactive, self-guided modules to train health care providers and others on how to use and interpret growth charts, including CDC's 2022 Extended BMI-for-Age growth charts.
Clinical Growth Charts
CDC's 2000 and 2022 growth charts available online or in downloadable format.