Comparison of Self-Reported and Measured Height, Weight and Bmi in Turkish University Students

Abstract

Accuracy and validity of self-reported height and weight, and body image satisfaction have not been yet evaluated particularly in young adult population in Turkey. The aim of the study was to establish the differences between self-re-ported and measured height and weight, and body mass index (BMI). The study was conducted on 617 university students (304 males and 313 females) aged 17–30 years from Ankara and Sivas, Turkey. Height and weight were measured and obtained by a questionnaire. From both measured and self-reported values for accuracy absolute differences were calcu-lated. BMI was calculated from both self-reported and measured height and weight values using World Health Organization (WHO) cut-offs. The results showed that mean accuracy for the overestimated height was 1.83 cm for males (Ankara 1.59 cm and Sivas 2.05 cm), and 2.42 cm for females (Ankara 2.12 cm and Sivas 2.74 cm), and for underreported weight was 0.35 kg (Ankara 0.13 kg and Sivas 0.56 kg) and –0.95 kg (Ankara 0.33 kg and Sivas 1.07 kg), respectively for males and females. Self-reported BMI >25 was 33.9% for males (Ankara 27.6% and Sivas 39.6%), and 15.7% for females (An-kara 9.9% and Sivas 16.8%), while measured BMI >25 was 38.2% in males (Ankara 30.3% and Sivas 45.3%) and 25.9% in females (Ankara 21.7% and Sivas 35.5%). In conclusion, study group tended to overestimate height but underestimate weight, therefore the self-reported weight and height studies should evaluate them more cautiously, using direct measurements or correction equations for adjustment to obtain reliable results. © 2020, Croatian Anthropological Society. All rights reserved.