Validation of self-reported weights and heights in the avoiding diabetes after pregnancy trial (ADAPT)

Abstract

BackgroundRandomized controlled trials that test the effectiveness of mobile health-based weight loss programs are attractive to participants, funders, and researchers because of the low implementation cost, minimal participant burden, and the ability to recruit participants from longer distances. Collecting weight data from geographically dispersed participants is a challenge. Relying on participant self-report is one approach to data collection, but epidemiologic studies indicate that self-reported anthropometric data may be inaccurate.MethodsWe provided women enrolled in a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of postpartum weight loss after gestational diabetes with a digital scale and training to collect and report weight via a web-based survey. To validate self-reported weights and heights, we visited 30 randomly selected women in their homes, with a reference scale and stadiometer, a mean of 34 days after the self-report. We ran linear regression models to identify characteristics that were associated with underreporting or overreporting of anthropometric measures.ResultsOf the 30 women we visited, 11 women (37%) were assigned to the weight loss intervention group and 19 women (63%) were in the control group. Mean age was 38.5 years (SD 4.5). The overall mean difference between participants’ self-reported weights and the weights obtained at their home visit was 0.70 kg (+1.92). Women assigned to the intervention group underreported their weight in comparison with the control group by 1.29 kg (95% CI −2.52, −0.06). The overall difference in collected to self-reported height was −0.56 cm (±1.91). No characteristics were associated with underreporting or overreporting of height.ConclusionsOur research suggests that by providing a digital scale and developing a weight collection protocol, researchers can train women to collect and record their own study weights with reasonable validity. To achieve the level of validity required for clinical trials, researchers should consider additional strategies to assure the validity of the data.Trial registrationNCT01923350.

Designing a lifestyle intervention to reduce risk of type 2 diabetes in postpartum mothers following gestational diabetes: An online survey with mothers and health professionals

“…Theory such as specific goal setting or feedback on performance 39 . Encouraging women to regularly self-monitor and record their weight is a simple promising strategy 40 and has been validated for GDM mothers 41 .…”

Eliminating Health Disparities through Action on the Social Determinants of Health: A Systematic Review of Home Visiting in the United States, 2005–2015

“…The prevention categories (Table ) of the research articles included in this section were Maternal/Infant Health ( n = 13), Mental Health ( n = 2), Environment/Safety ( n = 2), Adult Health ( n = 2), and Women's Health ( n = 1). Seven articles in the primary prevention grouping of experimental and quasi‐experimental articles listed a nurse author (Cowell, McNaughton, Ailey, Gross, & Fogg, ; Flynn, Budd, & Modelski, ; Hendrickson, ; Hendrickson, Williams, & Acee, ; Larson, Ferng, McLoughlin, Wang, & Morse, ; Lutenbacher et al., ; Paez et al., ) (Table ).…”

Associations of Maternal Material Hardships During Childhood and Adulthood with Prepregnancy Weight, Gestational Weight Gain, and Postpartum Weight Retention

“…The questionnaire inquiring about hardship has not been validated and could underestimate hardship exposure because of social stigma. We relied on self-reported prepregnancy weight, which may not be accurately reported; however, as we found and others have shown, [41][42][43] self-report tends to be highly correlated with measured weight, and thus ranking is likely to have been preserved across women. Furthermore, the prevalence of obesity, excessive GWG, and SPPWR were each similar to estimates from many other studies conducted around the same period.…”