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.
Maternal Child Nutrition Branch, Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30341, USA. bsherry@cdc.gov
Bettylou
B
Sherry
Maria Elena
ME
Jefferds
Laurence M
LM
Grummer-Strawn
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