The effects of restraint, gender, and body mass index on the accuracy of self‐reported weight

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Abstract
Objective: Previous research has shown that women, restrained eaters, and overweight/obese individuals have a tendency to underreport their weight. This study investigated gender, dietary restraint, and BMI to determine which is the best predictor of errors in self‐reported weight.Method: A total of 241 college students completed questionnaires pertaining to height and weight and then were weighed in the laboratory.Results: Although overall students were fairly accurate in reporting their weight, restraint status was the best predictor of weight underestimation.Discussion: These results suggest that restrained eaters, regardless of gender or BMI, have a tendency to underestimate their weight. © 2003 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 34: 177–180, 2003.