Can self-reported height and weight be used among people living with HIV/AIDS?

• Published in: International journal of STD & AIDS Vol. 23; no. 4; p. e1
• Main Authors: Duran, A C F L, Florindo, A A, Jaime, P C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.04.2012
• Subjects: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - pathology; Adult; Body Height; Body Weight; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diagnostic Self Evaluation; Female; HIV; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Sensitivity and Specificity
• ISSN: 1758-1052
• DOI: 10.1258/ijsa.2009.009344

To assess the reliability and validity of self-reported height and weight in adults living with HIV/AIDS (ALWHA) we assessed 508 ALWHA of both genders on antiretroviral therapy. Height and weight were directly measured in a subsample. Sensitivity and specificity analysis were performed to determine the validity of self-reported measures. Bland-Altman's method was used to calculate the limits of agreement between values while reliability was assessed using intraclass coefficients. Regression equations were devised to determine actual measures from self-reported values. Mean differences among measured and self-reported weight were -0.96 kg for men and -0.54 kg for women. Mean height differences were less than 2 cm, yielding good reliability for body mass index (BMI). Overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m(2)) diagnosis sensitivity was 90.6% and specificity was 81.2%. Corrected measures determined by regression equations had stronger correlation with self-reported values (r > 0.980). Self-reported height and weight showed good reliability and validity compared with directly measured height and weight. However, measures should be corrected whenever possible to achieve higher accuracy.