Validation of Self-Reported Anthropometrics in Female College Freshmen.
Most investigations concerning the validity of self-reported anthropometrics focus on weight, height, and body mass index. This study extends those investigations by exploring the impact of self-reporting bias on the disease risk indicators of waist circumference and body fat percentage. Female college freshmen (n=128) self-reported weight and height, then underwent measurements for weight, height, waist circumference, and body fat percentage. Self-reporting bias was defined as self-reported minus directly-assessed anthropometric value. Despite no differences in self-reported versus directly-assessed weight or height for the total group, students with high waist circumference and excess fat under-reported their weight by 2.3±4.4 lb (p<0.05). Self-reporting bias was negatively correlated with waist circumference (r=-0.362; p<0.001) and body fat percentage (r=-0.317; p<0.001). Although many female college freshmen accurately represent their weight, those with excess fat and waist circumference under-reported their weight. This may lead to missed opportunities for risk identification, prevention, and intervention.
School of Human Movement, Sport, and Leisure Studies, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH USA; Department of Public and Allied Health, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH USA.
Ryan J
RJ
Leone
School of Human Movement, Sport, and Leisure Studies, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH USA.
Amy L
AL
Morgan
Department of Public and Allied Health, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH USA.
Mary-Jon
MJ
Ludy
Body mass index; obesity; waist circumference; women’s health; young adult