How accurate are self‐reported height, weight, and BMI among community‐dwelling elderly Japanese?: Evidence from a national population‐based study

Abstract

The accuracy of self-reported height and weight is reasonably high among elderly Japanese, suggesting that the information can be used in epidemiological surveys. However, caution should be exercised for the oldest age group (age 85+), as the accuracy declined.

Height and Weight Bias: The Influence of Time

“…These findings have been derived primarily from data collected in Western cultures, and one study in Australia. However, some Asian studies, specifically Korea and Japan, have also reported the same conclusion [22], [23], though the magnitude of the bias is small. Caution must be applied in the case of the Japanese study as it was confined to adults over 70 years only.…”

Is there an obesity paradox in the Japanese elderly population? A community‐based cohort study of 13 280 men and women

“…Third, self‐reported height and weight was used in the present study, and it is possible that the accuracy of the data is associated with the age and sex of the participants. However, self‐reported height and weight are known to be generally reliable from elderly Japanese populations, and this procedure has been used in large cohort studies . Finally, because BMI was only recorded at baseline, we did not examine possible weight change during the study period.…”

“…However, self-reported height and weight are known to be generally reliable from elderly Japanese populations, and this procedure has been used in large cohort studies. 22 Finally, because BMI was only recorded at baseline, we did not examine possible weight change during the study period. A recent study by Murayama et al examined the relationship between the trajectories of BMI and all-cause mortality among older Japanese adults.…”

Identification of diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and stroke in mid‐ and older‐aged women: Comparing self‐report and administrative hospital data records

“…Health surveys provide evidence of population health and disease prevalence at a relatively low cost, although concerns about the validity and reliability of self‐reported health information are well‐documented . Older age is associated with decreased accuracy of self‐report . Sex, younger age, better cognition, higher education, less comorbidity and frequent use of health services are associated with increased accuracy of self‐reported health information .…”