title: Validity of a self-reported measure of familial history of obesity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Familial history information could be useful in clinical practice. However, little is known about the accuracy of self-reported familial history, particularly self-reported familial history of obesity (FHO).
  
  
  METHODS
  Two cross-sectional studies were conducted. The aims of study 1 was to compare self-reported and objectively measured weight and height whereas the aims of study 2 were to examine the relationship between the weight and height estimations reported by the study participants and the values provided by their family members as well as the validity of a self-reported measure of FHO. Study 1 was conducted between 2004 and 2006 among 617 subjects and study 2 was conducted in 2006 among 78 participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In both studies, weight and height reported by the participants were significantly correlated with their measured values (study 1: r = 0.98 and 0.98; study 2: r = 0.99 and 0.97 respectively; p < 0.0001). Estimates of weight and height for family members provided by the study participants were strongly correlated with values reported by each family member (r = 0.96 and 0.95, respectively; p < 0.0001). Substantial agreement between the FHO reported by the participants and the one obtained by calculating the BMI of each family members was observed (kappa = 0.72; p < 0.0001). Sensitivity (90.5%), specificity (82.6%), positive (82.6%) and negative (90.5%) predictive values of FHO were very good.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A self-reported measure of FHO is valid, suggesting that individuals are able to detect the presence or the absence of obesity in their first-degree family members.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Institute of Nutraceuticals and Functional Food Laval University, Quebec, Canada. ann-marie.paradis@crchul.ulaval.ca
authors.forename: Ann-Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Paradis
authors.forename: Louis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pérusse
authors.forename: Gaston
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Godin
authors.forename: Marie-Claude
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Vohl
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001827:Body Height / Q000502:physiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
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