Accuracy of adolescent self-report of height and weight in assessing overweight status: a literature review.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the accuracy of self-reported height and weight data to classify adolescent overweight status. Self-reported height and weight are commonly used with minimal consideration of accuracy.


METHODS
Eleven studies (4 nationally representative, 7 convenience sample or locally based).


METHODS
Peer-reviewed articles of studies conducted in the United States that compared self-reported and directly measured height, weight, and/or body mass index data to classify overweight among adolescents.


METHODS
Self-reported and directly measured height and weight.


METHODS
Overweight prevalence; missing data, bias, and accuracy.


RESULTS
Studies varied in examination of bias. Sensitivity of self-reported data for classification of overweight ranged from 55% to 76% (4 of 4 studies). Overweight prevalence was -0.4% to -17.7% lower when body mass index was based on self-reported data vs directly measured data (5 of 5 studies). Females underestimated weight more than males (ranges, -4.0 to -1.0 kg vs -2.6 to 1.5 kg, respectively) (9 of 9 studies); overweight individuals underestimated weight more than nonoverweight individuals (6 of 6 studies). Missing self-reported data ranged from 0% to 23% (9 of 9 studies). There was inadequate information on bias by age and race/ethnicity.


CONCLUSIONS
Self-reported data are valuable if the only source of data. However, self-reported data underestimate overweight prevalence and there is bias by sex and weight status. Lower sensitivities of self-reported data indicate that one-fourth to one-half of those overweight would be missed. Other potential biases in self-reported data, such as across subgroups, need further clarification. The feasibility of collecting directly measured height and weight data on a state/community level should be explored because directly measured data are more accurate.
Sherry
Bettylou
B
Maternal Child Nutrition Branch, Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30341, USA. bsherry@cdc.gov
Jefferds
Maria Elena
ME
Grummer-Strawn
Laurence M
LM
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015982:Bias; D001827:Body Height; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D050177:Overweight; D010380:Peer Review; D010465:Perception; D015995:Prevalence; D012647:Self-Assessment