Reliability of Self-Reported Height and Weight in Children: A School-Based Cross-Sectional Study and a Review
Since anthropometric measurements are not always feasible in large surveys, self-reported values are an alternative. Our objective was to assess the reliability of self-reported weight and height values compared to measured values in children with (1) a cross-sectional study in Switzerland and (2) a...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-12-01
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| Series: | Nutrients |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/1/75 |
| _version_ | 1797440229615861760 |
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| author | Magali Rios-Leyvraz Natalia Ortega Arnaud Chiolero |
| author_facet | Magali Rios-Leyvraz Natalia Ortega Arnaud Chiolero |
| author_sort | Magali Rios-Leyvraz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Since anthropometric measurements are not always feasible in large surveys, self-reported values are an alternative. Our objective was to assess the reliability of self-reported weight and height values compared to measured values in children with (1) a cross-sectional study in Switzerland and (2) a comprehensive review with a meta-analysis. We conducted a secondary analysis of data from a school-based study in Switzerland of 2616 children and a review of 63 published studies including 122,629 children. In the cross-sectional study, self-reported and measured values were highly correlated (weight: <i>r</i> = 0.96; height: <i>r</i> = 0.92; body mass index (BMI) <i>r</i> = 0.88), although self-reported values tended to underestimate measured values (weight: −1.4 kg; height: −0.9 cm; BMI: −0.4 kg/m<sup>2</sup>). Prevalence of underweight was overestimated and prevalence of overweight was underestimated using self-reported values. In the meta-analysis, high correlations were found between self-reported and measured values (weight: <i>r</i> = 0.94; height: <i>r</i> = 0.87; BMI: <i>r</i> = 0.88). Weight (−1.4 kg) and BMI (−0.7 kg/m<sup>2</sup>) were underestimated, and height was slightly overestimated (+0.1 cm) with self-reported values. Self-reported values tended to be more reliable in children above 11 years old. Self-reported weight and height in children can be a reliable alternative to measurements, but should be used with caution to estimate over- or underweight prevalence. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T12:04:07Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-da6075e66bae4e53b52554f7ea559b37 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-6643 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T12:04:07Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nutrients |
| spelling | doaj.art-da6075e66bae4e53b52554f7ea559b372023-11-30T23:00:25ZengMDPI AGNutrients2072-66432022-12-011517510.3390/nu15010075Reliability of Self-Reported Height and Weight in Children: A School-Based Cross-Sectional Study and a ReviewMagali Rios-Leyvraz0Natalia Ortega1Arnaud Chiolero2Population Health Laboratory (#PopHealthLab), University of Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg, SwitzerlandPopulation Health Laboratory (#PopHealthLab), University of Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg, SwitzerlandPopulation Health Laboratory (#PopHealthLab), University of Fribourg, 1700 Fribourg, SwitzerlandSince anthropometric measurements are not always feasible in large surveys, self-reported values are an alternative. Our objective was to assess the reliability of self-reported weight and height values compared to measured values in children with (1) a cross-sectional study in Switzerland and (2) a comprehensive review with a meta-analysis. We conducted a secondary analysis of data from a school-based study in Switzerland of 2616 children and a review of 63 published studies including 122,629 children. In the cross-sectional study, self-reported and measured values were highly correlated (weight: <i>r</i> = 0.96; height: <i>r</i> = 0.92; body mass index (BMI) <i>r</i> = 0.88), although self-reported values tended to underestimate measured values (weight: −1.4 kg; height: −0.9 cm; BMI: −0.4 kg/m<sup>2</sup>). Prevalence of underweight was overestimated and prevalence of overweight was underestimated using self-reported values. In the meta-analysis, high correlations were found between self-reported and measured values (weight: <i>r</i> = 0.94; height: <i>r</i> = 0.87; BMI: <i>r</i> = 0.88). Weight (−1.4 kg) and BMI (−0.7 kg/m<sup>2</sup>) were underestimated, and height was slightly overestimated (+0.1 cm) with self-reported values. Self-reported values tended to be more reliable in children above 11 years old. Self-reported weight and height in children can be a reliable alternative to measurements, but should be used with caution to estimate over- or underweight prevalence.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/1/75weightheightbody mass indexchildrenreviewSwitzerland |
| spellingShingle | Magali Rios-Leyvraz Natalia Ortega Arnaud Chiolero Reliability of Self-Reported Height and Weight in Children: A School-Based Cross-Sectional Study and a Review Nutrients weight height body mass index children review Switzerland |
| title | Reliability of Self-Reported Height and Weight in Children: A School-Based Cross-Sectional Study and a Review |
| title_full | Reliability of Self-Reported Height and Weight in Children: A School-Based Cross-Sectional Study and a Review |
| title_fullStr | Reliability of Self-Reported Height and Weight in Children: A School-Based Cross-Sectional Study and a Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Reliability of Self-Reported Height and Weight in Children: A School-Based Cross-Sectional Study and a Review |
| title_short | Reliability of Self-Reported Height and Weight in Children: A School-Based Cross-Sectional Study and a Review |
| title_sort | reliability of self reported height and weight in children a school based cross sectional study and a review |
| topic | weight height body mass index children review Switzerland |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/1/75 |
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