Weight is an overall measure of body size that does not distinguish between fat and muscle. Weight is an indicator of nutrition status and health status. Low pre-pregnancy weight is an indicator of poorer gestational outcome in women (Kramer 1988). Low weight is also associated with osteoporosis. In general, change in weight is of interest in adults because it is an indicator of changing health status. Self reported or parentally reported weight for children and adolescents should be used cautiously if at all. It enables the calculation of body mass index which requires the measurement of height and weight (body mass) for adults.
