COMPARISON OF SELF-REPORTED AND MEASURED HEIGHT, WEIGHT AND BMI IN TURKISH UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Accuracy and validity of self-reported height and weight, and body image satisfaction have not been evaluated particularly in young adult population in Turkey. The aim of the study was to establish the differences of self-reported height and weight, and body mass index (BMI). The study conducted on...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inCollegium antropologicum Vol. 44; no. 1; p. 21
Main Authors Önal, Sibel, Acar, Sercan, Özdemir, Ayşegül, Yavuz, Cansev Meşe, Sağır, Seçil, Sağır, Mehmet, Özer, Başak Koca
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Zagreb Institute for Anthropological Research 01.01.2020
Subjects
Accuracy
Body image
Body mass index
College students
Females
Males
Underreporting
University students
Young adults
Ankara Turkey
Turkey
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:Accuracy and validity of self-reported height and weight, and body image satisfaction have not been evaluated particularly in young adult population in Turkey. The aim of the study was to establish the differences of self-reported height and weight, and body mass index (BMI). The study 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 calculated. 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 underreporting 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. Self-reported BMIs>25 was 33.9% for males (Ankara 27.6% and Sivas 39.6%), and 15.7% for females (Ankara 9.9% and Sivas 16.8%), while measured BMIs>25 was 38.2% (Ankara 30.3% and Sivas 45.3%) and 25.9% (Ankara 21.7% and Sivas 35.5%), respectively. In conclusion, study group tended to overestimate height but underestimate weight, therefore the self-reported weight and height studies needed to evaluate more cautiously, and direct measurements or correction equations for adjustment needed for reliable results.
ISSN:0350-6134
1848-9486