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Validity of self-reported anthropometric values used to assess body mass index and estimate obesity in Greek school children.

Tokmakidis SP, Christodoulos AD, Mantzouranis NI

Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace, Komotini, Greece. stokmaki@phyed.duth.gr <stokmaki@phyed.duth.gr>

PURPOSE: To examine the validity of self-reported values of body height and weight, used for the estimation of body mass index (BMI), as a diagnostic method for the evaluation of overweight and obesity in Greek school children. METHOD: Self-reported height and weight was recorded and then measured in 378 primary (mean age 11.4 +/- .4 years) and 298 high school students (mean age 12.5 +/- .3 years). The BMI cutoff points adopted by the International Obesity Task Force were used to compare prevalence estimates of overweight and obesity obtained from self-reported and actual measures. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between self-reported and measured anthropometric indices in all subgroups, except for height in elementary school girls. The degree of self-report bias did not differ between genders; however, it was higher for high school students and heavier children, compared to elementary school pupils and lighter children, respectively. Based on self-reports, prevalence estimates were 23.1% for overweight and 4.3% for obesity, but according to measured data the corresponding rates were 28.8% and 9.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings imply that the observed discrepancy between self-reported and measured anthropometric data in Greek children and adolescents might lead to erroneous estimating rates of overweight and obesity. Although self-reported data are easy to obtain, health surveys of overweight and obesity in youth need valid and accurate procedures.

Published 19 March 2007 in J Adolesc Health, 40(4): 305-10.
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