Actual Measurements of Body Weight and Height Are Essential

In Brief Self-reported body weights and heights, and the body mass index computed from them, have often been used in clinics and research. The validity of these self-reported data is a critical issue because it can affect the clinical management and the interpretation of research data on obesity and its associated health problems. We reviewed 43 recent publications on this subject and found that the validity was poor; the frequencies of overreporting of height were 71% (47 of 66 reports); underreporting of weight, 79% (60 of 76 reports); and underestimating of body mass index, 72% (44 of 61 reports). Attempts to use prediction equations developed from a population under study to correct the errors of self-reported data were unsuccessful. Therefore, measured body weights and heights should be used Why you need to weigh and measure your patients