Ethnic differences in discrepancies between self-reported and measured weight, height and body mass index.
We investigated the association between Hindustani-Surinamese (South Asian), African-Surinamese (African) or Dutch (European) ethnicity and discrepancies in self-reported versus measured weight, height and derived body mass index (BMI). Using data from the population-based SUNSET study among 35- to 60-year-old subjects in The Netherlands, we found that discrepancies among Hindustani-Surinamese men, African-Surinamese women and Hindustani-Surinamese women for weight and BMI, but not height were smaller than their Dutch counterparts. Ethnic differences observed imply that self-reported anthropometric measures may be unsuitable for surveillance and for studies that seek to quantify the role of obesity in health outcomes in ethnic groups.
van Valkengoed
Irene G M
IG
Department of Public Health, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. i.g.vanvalkengoed@amc.nl
Nicolaou
Mary
M
Stronks
Karien
K
D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People / Q000208:ethnology; D044383:Black People / Q000208:ethnology; D001827:Body Height; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000208:ethnology; D057566:Self Report; D013532:Suriname / Q000208:ethnology; D044465:White People / Q000208:ethnology