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Journal of Public Health

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01-06-2014 | Original Article

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

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

Published in: Journal of Public Health | Issue 3/2014

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.

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Title: Validity of self-reported BMI in older adults and an adjustment model
Authors: Milena Vuksanović
Anton Safer
Frederick Palm
Gabriele Stieglbauer
Armin Grau
Heiko Becher
Publication date: 01-06-2014
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Journal of Public Health / Issue 3/2014
Print ISSN: 2198-1833
Electronic ISSN: 1613-2238
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-014-0619-6

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

Abstract

Study objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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Results

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