Food insecurity and obesity: a comparison of self-reported and measured height and weight.
OBJECTIVE
We used self-reported and measured height and weight data to examine the relationship between food insecurity and obesity.


METHODS
We defined food insecurity according to 3 different models. We used self-reported and measured height and weight from 2 versions of the Canadian Community Health Survey to calculate obesity rates.


RESULTS
When self-reported height and weight data were used in calculating obesity prevalence rates, rates were significantly higher among food-insecure respondents than among food-secure respondents; by contrast, when measured height and weight data were used, there were no significant differences. Female respondents classified as food insecure and experiencing mild hunger were at greater risk of obesity than were food-secure female respondents when measured height and weight were used.


CONCLUSIONS
Associations between obesity and food insecurity are more pronounced when self-reported data on height and weight are used than when measured height and weight data are used. Caution should be used when using self-reported data to examine the relationship between food insecurity and obesity.
School of Social Work, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Rd, Thunder Bay, P7B 5E1, Ontario.
Ariel-Ann
AA
Lyons
Jungwee
J
Park
Connie H
CH
Nelson
D000293:Adolescent; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005523:Food Supply; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010465:Perception; D011203:Poverty; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors