Comparison of measured and self-reported weight and height in a cross-sectional sample of young adolescents
- 1 August 1999
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Springer Nature in International Journal of Obesity
- Vol. 23 (8) , 904-908
- https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0800971
Abstract
AIM: To explore the relationship between self-reported weight and height to actual weight and height in a cross-sectional nationally representative sample of young adolescents. METHODS: Weights and heights were obtained on 1932 adolescents aged 12–16 y enrolled in the NHANES III study. Self-reported weights and heights were available on 1657 of the adolescents (86%). RESULTS: Correlation between self-reported weight and actual weight ranged between 0.87 and 0.94, depending on gender or race. However, self-reported weights were significantly lower than measured weights among girls, compared to boys (PP<0.001). Nevertheless, the use of self-reported weight and height resulted in the correct classification of weight status in 94% of children. As a result, small differences in self-reported weights and heights had no impact in assessing obesity related morbidities. CONCLUSION: Influences of gender and racial biases in reporting of weight and height were relatively small. Self-reported heights and weights were extremely reliable for the predicting obesity related morbidities and behaviours.Keywords
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