Self-reported body weight and height on admission to hospital: A reliable method in multi-professional evidence-based nutritional care?

• Published in: International journal of nursing practice Vol. 18; no. 5; pp. 509 - 517
• Main Authors: Geurden, Bart, Franck, Erik, Van Looy, Luc, Weyler, Joost, Ysebaert, Dirk
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Australia Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.10.2012; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Belgium; Body Height; Body Mass Index; Body Weight; Comparative analysis; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Male; Malnutrition; Medical screening; Middle Aged; Nurses; Nursing; Nutrition Assessment; Nutritional Status; Patient Admission; Patient admissions; Reproducibility of Results; screening; Self Report; Weight; Belgium
• ISSN: 1322-7114; 1440-172X
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-172X.2012.02066.x

Screening patients' nutritional status on admission to hospital is recommended by evidence‐based guidelines on malnutrition. In practice, self‐reported values for body weight and height are often used by nurses and dieticians. This study assessed the accuracy of self‐reported body weight and height and whether these self‐reported values might be influenced by the nature of the health‐care worker involved. Patients (n = 611) on admission reported their body weight and height to a nurse and a dietician. Reported values were analysed and compared with the measured values. Self‐reported values for body weight and height on admission are not always accurate. Patients do report different values to different health‐care workers. Self‐reported values for body weight to nurses were more accurate as compared with dieticians. Self‐reported values for body weight and height are subject to observer bias and should be used with caution in nutritional screening and multi‐professional nutritional care.