Accuracy of self‐reported heights and weights in a predominately low‐income, diverse population living in the USA

Abstract

Objectives: This study explored the accuracy of self-reported heights and weights and factors associated with self-reported bias in a diverse American sample. Methods: Demographic, self-reported, and measured height and weight data from different studies with the same PI were compiled into one SPSS file and analyzed with paired t-tests to detect differences between self-reported and actual values. Kruskal-Wallis tests followed by pairwise t-tests detected differences among age, ethnicity, sex, income, and education. Stepwise regression analyses were done using anthropometric differences as the dependent variable and age category, sex, and ethnicity as independent variables to explore which variable was most predictive of anthropometric differences. Results: Individuals over-reported height and under-reported weight leading to an under-calculated BMI from self-reported height and weight by 0.6-1 kg/m 2 . These under-calculations of BMI led to misclassifications of obesity by 3, 6, 8, and 4% for African American, Euro-American, Native American women, and total women, and by 5, 6, 8, and 8% by African American, Euro-American, Native American men, and total men. Older individuals and males over-reported height more than younger individuals and females. African American females over-reported height to a lesser extent than other ethnicities. Asian males over-reported height to a lesser extent than other ethnicities. Conclusions: Self-reported heights and weights lead to invalid results. Most individuals over-report height and under-report weight, resulting in an inaccurate underweight and obesity prevalence. Being misclassified into the incorrect BMI category could result in inappropriate healthcare treatment. Age, ethnicity, and sex appear to influence the misreporting of height and weight.

Associations between maternal and paternal feeding styles of infants in a racially diverse US birth cohort

“…Fifth, we did not have a large enough sample size of non‐residential fathers to assess differences by residency status. Sixth, fathers in our study self‐reported height and weight, which may reflect over‐reported of height and under‐reported of weight 48 . A prior study of low‐income Black men in the US found that this mis‐reporting led to an under estimate of overall BMI, resulting in a misclassification of obesity by 5% 48 .…”

“…Sixth, fathers in our study self‐reported height and weight, which may reflect over‐reported of height and under‐reported of weight 48 . A prior study of low‐income Black men in the US found that this mis‐reporting led to an under estimate of overall BMI, resulting in a misclassification of obesity by 5% 48 . Finally, we did not assess maternal and paternal feeding style of infants beyond 12 months of age.…”

A cross‐sectional analysis of physical activity and weight misreporting in diverse populations: The Seattle Obesity Study III

“…Fewer studies have explored the potential role of mental well‐being 10,23,27,28 . There is also evidence to suggest that the extent of misreporting and bias may differ across population subgroups 3,20,26,29 . Most germane to the present work are recent studies that have found that misreporting patterns differ in Hispanic and low‐income populations 3,20,26,29 …”

“…The collection of in-person anthropometric data, by trained research staff, and PA data via accelerometry is resource intensive for researchers and can place undue burden on participants. 3,36 Moreover, in-person data collection risks interruption in the event of largescale disasters. The accuracy afforded by objectively measured PA and anthropometrics often comes at the cost of not having a large sample size due to the feasibility of scaling up such resource intensive data collection.…”

As a mother, I prefer to give a healthy snack, however... : Mothers’ considerations and value conflicts while providing snacks to their 2-7-year-old children

“…Furthermore, we attempt to have no differences in weight status (BMI) between the mothers and their children of both regions, as the prevalence of overweight and obesity is higher in the South of Italy compared to the North (Gallus et al, 2013;Brunello and Labartino, 2014;Mancini et al, 2016). However, since the mothers reported their weight themselves, it is possible that some of them have underestimated their weight, particularly those who are overweight as found in the review of Gorber et al (2007) and by Opichka and Smith (2018).…”