Journal Article

Validity of self-reported weight and height for BMI classification: A cross-sectional study among young adults

Wellard-Cole, Lyndal, Davies, Alyse, Rangan, Anna, Allman-Farinelli, Margaret

2020

Overview

•Results of this study revealed good agreement between self-reported and direct anthropometric measurements.•Classification of body mass index from self-reported and direct measurements showed that 88% of participants were placed in the same body mass index category.•Findings provide support for the use of online self-reported anthropometric data in this sample of young adults. The aim of this study was to validate self-reported anthropometric measurements and body mass index (BMI) classifications in a young adult population. Both self-reported and directly measured weight and height of 100 young adults 18 to 30 y of age were collected. Participants were measured at one of two university clinics by two research dietitians and within 2 wk self-reported their body weight and height via a questionnaire as part of a larger study. BMI was calculated and categorized according to the World Health Organization's cut-points for underweight, healthy weight, and overweight or obesity. The validity of measured against self-reported weight and height was examined using Pearson's correlation, Bland–Altman plots, and Cohen's kappa statistic. Strong correlation was observed between measured and self-reported weight (r = 0.99; P < 0.001), height (r = 0.95; P < 0.001), and BMI (r = 0.94; P < 0.001). Bland–Altman plots indicated that the mean difference between self-reported and direct BMI measurements were small in the total sample (0.1 kg/m2). The majority of values fell within the limits of agreement (2 SD), with random scatter plots and no systemic bias detected. The classification of BMI from self-reported and direct measurements showed that 88% were placed in the equivalent weight category with very good agreement Cohen's kappa (0.76; 95% confidence interval, 0.63–0.89; P < 0.001). Good agreement was detected between self-reported and direct anthropometric measurements. The criticism of self-reported anthropometric measurements is unwarranted. The findings provide support for using self-reported height and weight data for research in Australian young adults when direct measurements are not feasible.

• Publisher: Elsevier Inc,Elsevier Limited
• Subject: Accuracy / Adolescent / Adult / Adults / Age / Anthropometry / Australia / BMI / Body Height / Body Mass Index / Body size / Body Weight / Classification / Confidence intervals / Correlation analysis / Cross-Sectional Studies / dietitians / Female / Females / Height / Humans / ideal body weight / Male / Obesity / Overweight / Questionnaires / Reproducibility of Results / Self report / Self Report - standards / Self Report - statistics & numerical data / Socioeconomic factors / Statistical analysis / Underweight / Validity / Weight / World Health Organization / Young Adult / Young adults