BACKGROUND: Previous studies assessing the validity of adolescent self-reported height and weight for estimating obesity prevalence have not accounted for, potential bias due to nonresponse in self-reports. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the implications of selective nonresponse in self-reports of height and weight for estimates of adolescent obesity. METHODS: The authors analyzed 613 adolescents ages 12-17 years from the 2006-2008 Los Angeles Family and Neighborhood Survey, a longitudinal study of Los Angeles County households with an oversample of poor neighborhoods. Obesity prevalence estimates were compared based on (a) self-report, (b) measured height and weight for those who did report, and (c) measured height and weight for those who did report. RESULTS: Among younger teens, measured obesity prevalence was higher for those who did not report height and weight compared with those who did (40% vs. 30%). Consequently, obesity prevalence based on self-reported height and weight underestimated measured prevalence by 12 percentage points (when accounting for nonresponse) versus 9 percentage points (when nonresponse was not accounted for). Results were robust to the choice of difference child growth references. DISCUSSION: Adolescent obesity surveillance and prevention efforts must take into account selective nonresponse for self-reported height and weight, particularly for younger teens. Results should be replicated in a nationally representative sample.
BACKGROUND: Previous studies assessing the validity of adolescent self-reported height and weight for estimating obesity prevalence have not accounted for, potential bias due to nonresponse in self-reports. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the implications of selective nonresponse in self-reports of height and weight for estimates of adolescent obesity. METHODS: The authors analyzed 613 adolescents ages 12-17 years from the 2006-2008 Los Angeles Family and Neighborhood Survey, a longitudinal study of Los Angeles County households with an oversample of poor neighborhoods. Obesity prevalence estimates were compared based on (a) self-report, (b) measured height and weight for those who did report, and (c) measured height and weight for those who did report. RESULTS: Among younger teens, measured obesity prevalence was higher for those who did not report height and weight compared with those who did (40% vs. 30%). Consequently, obesity prevalence based on self-reported height and weight underestimated measured prevalence by 12 percentage points (when accounting for nonresponse) versus 9 percentage points (when nonresponse was not accounted for). Results were robust to the choice of difference child growth references. DISCUSSION: Adolescent obesity surveillance and prevention efforts must take into account selective nonresponse for self-reported height and weight, particularly for younger teens. Results should be replicated in a nationally representative sample.
Authors: Cynthia L Ogden; Robert J Kuczmarski; Katherine M Flegal; Zuguo Mei; Shumei Guo; Rong Wei; Laurence M Grummer-Strawn; Lester R Curtin; Alex F Roche; Clifford L Johnson Journal: Pediatrics Date: 2002-01 Impact factor: 7.124
Authors: William T Dalton; Liang Wang; Jodi L Southerland; Karen E Schetzina; Deborah L Slawson Journal: South Med J Date: 2014-06 Impact factor: 0.954
Authors: Corinna Koebnick; Brit Saksvig; Xia Li; Margo Sidell; Tong Tong Wu; Deborah R Young Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-11-06 Impact factor: 3.390