Skip to main content
Erschienen in: Journal of Public Health 3/2014

01.06.2014 | Original Article

Validity of self-reported BMI in older adults and an adjustment model

verfasst von: Milena Vuksanović, Anton Safer, Frederick Palm, Gabriele Stieglbauer, Armin Grau, Heiko Becher

Erschienen in: Journal of Public Health | Ausgabe 3/2014

Einloggen, um Zugang zu erhalten

Abstract

Study objectives

To determine reporting bias of self-reported vs. measured anthropometrics (body weight, height, body mass index, BMI), and to adjust self-reported BMI regarding the bias.

Methods

We compared self-reported with measured anthropometrics utilizing 659 control persons (age mean 68; range 37 to 80 years) from a case-control stroke study. The Bland-Altman approach examined the agreement between self-reported and measured values. A linear model was applied to correct the bias dependent on sex, age and self-reported BMI.

Results

Under-reporting of weight and over-reporting of height was found. On average, this resulted in lower self-reported BMIs by 1.0 kg/m2 in men, 1.2 kg/m2 in women (p < 0.001). Bias correction of self-reported BMIs was derived from self-reported BMI (p < 0.001), age (p < 0.001), age-BMI interaction (p < 0.001) and sex (p < 0.05). Under-estimation of correct BMI resulted in the under-estimation of an overweight prevalence, with relatively low sensitivity regarding self-reported values (88 %). Our estimates should be recalibrated, if applied to other studies.

Conclusion

Self-reported anthropometric measures are systematically biased despite high correlations with measured values. A correction removes the average bias and improves accuracy.
Literatur
Zurück zum Zitat Adams K, Schatzkin A, Harris T, Kipnis V, Mouw T, Ballard-Barbash R, Hollenbeck A, Leitzmann M (2006) Overweight, obesity, and mortality in a large prospective cohort of persons 50 to 71 years old. NEJM 355:763–778PubMedCrossRef Adams K, Schatzkin A, Harris T, Kipnis V, Mouw T, Ballard-Barbash R, Hollenbeck A, Leitzmann M (2006) Overweight, obesity, and mortality in a large prospective cohort of persons 50 to 71 years old. NEJM 355:763–778PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Bolton-Smith C, Woodward M, Tunstall-Pedoe H, Morrison C (2000) Accuracy of the estimated prevalence of obesity from self-reported height and weight in an adult Scottish population. J Epidemiol Community Health 54:143–148PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef Bolton-Smith C, Woodward M, Tunstall-Pedoe H, Morrison C (2000) Accuracy of the estimated prevalence of obesity from self-reported height and weight in an adult Scottish population. J Epidemiol Community Health 54:143–148PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Dauphinot V, Wolff H, Naudin F et al (2009) New obesity body mass index threshold for self-reported data. J Epidemiol Community Health 63:128–132PubMedCrossRef Dauphinot V, Wolff H, Naudin F et al (2009) New obesity body mass index threshold for self-reported data. J Epidemiol Community Health 63:128–132PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Dekkers JC, van Wier MF, Hendriksen IJM, Twisk JWR, van Mechelen W (2008) Accuracy of self-reported body weight, height and waist circumference in a Dutch overweight working population. BMC Med Res Methodol 8:69PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef Dekkers JC, van Wier MF, Hendriksen IJM, Twisk JWR, van Mechelen W (2008) Accuracy of self-reported body weight, height and waist circumference in a Dutch overweight working population. BMC Med Res Methodol 8:69PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Dorner T, Rieder A (2010) Obesity paradox or reverse epidemiology: is high body weight a protective factor for various chronic conditions. Dtsch Med Wochenschr 135:413–418PubMedCrossRef Dorner T, Rieder A (2010) Obesity paradox or reverse epidemiology: is high body weight a protective factor for various chronic conditions. Dtsch Med Wochenschr 135:413–418PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Faeh D, Braun J, Bopp M (2009) Underestimation of obesity prevalence in Switzerland: comparison of two methods for correction of self-report. Swiss Med Wkly 139:752–756PubMed Faeh D, Braun J, Bopp M (2009) Underestimation of obesity prevalence in Switzerland: comparison of two methods for correction of self-report. Swiss Med Wkly 139:752–756PubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Field AE, Coakley EH, Must A et al (2001) Impact of overweight on the risk of developing common chronic diseases during a 10-year period. Arch Intern Med 161:1581–1586PubMedCrossRef Field AE, Coakley EH, Must A et al (2001) Impact of overweight on the risk of developing common chronic diseases during a 10-year period. Arch Intern Med 161:1581–1586PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Gil J, Mora T (2011) The determinants of misreporting weight and height: the role of social norms. Econ Hum Biol 9:78–91PubMedCrossRef Gil J, Mora T (2011) The determinants of misreporting weight and height: the role of social norms. Econ Hum Biol 9:78–91PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Gorber SC, Tremblay M, Moher D, Gorber B (2007) A comparison of direct versus self-report measures for assessing height, weight and body mass index: a systematic review. Obes Rev 8:307–326PubMedCrossRef Gorber SC, Tremblay M, Moher D, Gorber B (2007) A comparison of direct versus self-report measures for assessing height, weight and body mass index: a systematic review. Obes Rev 8:307–326PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Hayes AJ, Kortt MA, Clarke PM et al (2008) Estimating equations to correct self-reported height and weight: implications for prevalence of overweight and obesity in Australia. Aust N Z J Public Health 32:542–545PubMedCrossRef Hayes AJ, Kortt MA, Clarke PM et al (2008) Estimating equations to correct self-reported height and weight: implications for prevalence of overweight and obesity in Australia. Aust N Z J Public Health 32:542–545PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Hayes AJ, Clarke PM, Lung TW (2011) Change in bias in self-reported body mass index in Australia between 1995 and 2008 and the evaluation of correction equations. Popul Health Metrics 9:53CrossRef Hayes AJ, Clarke PM, Lung TW (2011) Change in bias in self-reported body mass index in Australia between 1995 and 2008 and the evaluation of correction equations. Popul Health Metrics 9:53CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Jain EB (2010) Regression models to predict corrected weight, height and obesity prevalence from self-reported data: data from BRFSS 1999–2007. Int J Obes 34:1655–1664CrossRef Jain EB (2010) Regression models to predict corrected weight, height and obesity prevalence from self-reported data: data from BRFSS 1999–2007. Int J Obes 34:1655–1664CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Kuczmarski MF, Kuczmarski R, Najjar M (2001) Effects of age on validity of self-reported height, weight and body mass index: findings from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988–1994. J Am Diet Assoc 101:28–34PubMedCrossRef Kuczmarski MF, Kuczmarski R, Najjar M (2001) Effects of age on validity of self-reported height, weight and body mass index: findings from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988–1994. J Am Diet Assoc 101:28–34PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Kuskowska-Wolk A, Karlsson P, Stolt M, Rossner S (1989) The predictive validity of body mass index based on self-reported weight and height. Int J Obes 13:441–453PubMed Kuskowska-Wolk A, Karlsson P, Stolt M, Rossner S (1989) The predictive validity of body mass index based on self-reported weight and height. Int J Obes 13:441–453PubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Lichtash CT, Cui J, Guo X, Chen YD, Hsueh WA, Rotter JI, Goodarzi MO (2013) Body adiposity index versus body mass index and other anthropometric traits as correlates of cardiometabolic risk factors. PLoS One 8(6):e65954. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0065954 Lichtash CT, Cui J, Guo X, Chen YD, Hsueh WA, Rotter JI, Goodarzi MO (2013) Body adiposity index versus body mass index and other anthropometric traits as correlates of cardiometabolic risk factors. PLoS One 8(6):e65954. doi:10.​1371/​journal.​pone.​0065954
Zurück zum Zitat Ludbrook J (2010) Confidence in Altman-Bland plots: a critical review of the method of differences. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 37:143–149PubMedCrossRef Ludbrook J (2010) Confidence in Altman-Bland plots: a critical review of the method of differences. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 37:143–149PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat McAdams MA, Van Dam RM, Hu FB (2007) Comparison of self-reported and measured BMI as correlates of disease markers in U.S. adults. Obesity 15:188PubMedCrossRef McAdams MA, Van Dam RM, Hu FB (2007) Comparison of self-reported and measured BMI as correlates of disease markers in U.S. adults. Obesity 15:188PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat National Task Force on the Prevention and Treatment of Obesity (2000) Overweight, obesity and health risk. Arch Intern Med 160:898–904CrossRef National Task Force on the Prevention and Treatment of Obesity (2000) Overweight, obesity and health risk. Arch Intern Med 160:898–904CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Niedhammer I, Bugel I, Bonenfant S, Goldberg M, Leclerc A (2000) Validity of self-reported weight and height in the French GAZEL cohort. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 24:1111–1118PubMedCrossRef Niedhammer I, Bugel I, Bonenfant S, Goldberg M, Leclerc A (2000) Validity of self-reported weight and height in the French GAZEL cohort. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 24:1111–1118PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Nieto-Garcia FJ, Bush TL, Keyl PM (1990) Body mass definitions of obesity: sensitivity and specificity using self-reported weight and height. Epidemiology 1:146–152PubMedCrossRef Nieto-Garcia FJ, Bush TL, Keyl PM (1990) Body mass definitions of obesity: sensitivity and specificity using self-reported weight and height. Epidemiology 1:146–152PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Nyholm M, Gullberg B, Merlo J et al (2007) The validity of obesity based on self-reported weight and height: implications for population studies. Obesity 15:197–208PubMedCrossRef Nyholm M, Gullberg B, Merlo J et al (2007) The validity of obesity based on self-reported weight and height: implications for population studies. Obesity 15:197–208PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Oreopoulos A, Kalantar-Zadeh K, Sharma A, Fonarow G (2009) The obesity paradox in the elderly: potential mechanisms and clinical implications. Clin Geriatr Med 25:643–659PubMedCrossRef Oreopoulos A, Kalantar-Zadeh K, Sharma A, Fonarow G (2009) The obesity paradox in the elderly: potential mechanisms and clinical implications. Clin Geriatr Med 25:643–659PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Peeters A, Barendregt JJ, Willekens F, Mackenbach JP, Abdullah AM, Bonneux L (2003) Obesity in adulthood and its consequences for life expectancy: a life-table analysis. Ann Intern Med 138:24–32PubMedCrossRef Peeters A, Barendregt JJ, Willekens F, Mackenbach JP, Abdullah AM, Bonneux L (2003) Obesity in adulthood and its consequences for life expectancy: a life-table analysis. Ann Intern Med 138:24–32PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Rothman KJ (2008) BMI-related errors in the measurement of obesity. Int J Obes 32:556–559CrossRef Rothman KJ (2008) BMI-related errors in the measurement of obesity. Int J Obes 32:556–559CrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Spencer EA, Appleby PN, Davey GK, Key TJ (2002) Validity of self-reported height and weight in 4808 EPIC-Oxford participants. Public Health Nutr 5:561–565PubMedCrossRef Spencer EA, Appleby PN, Davey GK, Key TJ (2002) Validity of self-reported height and weight in 4808 EPIC-Oxford participants. Public Health Nutr 5:561–565PubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Stewart AW, Jackson RT, Ford MA, Beaglehole R (1987) Underestimation of relative weight by use of self-reported height and weight. AM J Epidemiol 125:122–126PubMed Stewart AW, Jackson RT, Ford MA, Beaglehole R (1987) Underestimation of relative weight by use of self-reported height and weight. AM J Epidemiol 125:122–126PubMed
Zurück zum Zitat Stommel M, Schoenborn CA (2009) Accuracy and usefulness of BMI measures based on self-reported weight and height: findings from the NHANES & NHIS 2001–2006. BMC Public Health 9:421PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef Stommel M, Schoenborn CA (2009) Accuracy and usefulness of BMI measures based on self-reported weight and height: findings from the NHANES & NHIS 2001–2006. BMC Public Health 9:421PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef
Zurück zum Zitat Vaughan CA, Sacco WP, Beckstead JW (2008) Racial/ethnic differences in body mass index: the roles of beliefs about thinness and dietary restriction. Body Image 5:291–298PubMedCrossRef Vaughan CA, Sacco WP, Beckstead JW (2008) Racial/ethnic differences in body mass index: the roles of beliefs about thinness and dietary restriction. Body Image 5:291–298PubMedCrossRef
Metadaten
Titel
Validity of self-reported BMI in older adults and an adjustment model
verfasst von
Milena Vuksanović
Anton Safer
Frederick Palm
Gabriele Stieglbauer
Armin Grau
Heiko Becher
Publikationsdatum
01.06.2014
Verlag
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Erschienen in
Journal of Public Health / Ausgabe 3/2014
Print ISSN: 2198-1833
Elektronische ISSN: 1613-2238
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-014-0619-6

Weitere Artikel der Ausgabe 3/2014

Journal of Public Health 3/2014 Zur Ausgabe