H Anthony1, R Tabak2, A B Morshed2, C Schwarz3, A Phad4, D Haire-Joshu5. 1. Center for Obesity Prevention and Policy Research, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, 1 Brookings Dr, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA; Department of Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, USA. Electronic address: hephzibah16.anthony@gmail.com. 2. Prevention Research Center in St. Louis, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA. 3. Center for Obesity Prevention and Policy Research, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, 1 Brookings Dr, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA. 4. Center for Diabetes Translation and Research, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, 1 Brookings Dr, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA. 5. Center for Obesity Prevention and Policy Research, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, 1 Brookings Dr, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: A constant challenge in addressing the issue of obesity is the validity and reliability of self-reported measurements to calculate body mass index, that assesses the prevalence of obesity in a population. The objective of this study is to analyze both awareness and accuracy of mothers who are overweight or obese, in reporting their own and their child's height and weight measurements. STUDY DESIGN: cross-sectional study. METHODS: In this study, mothers were asked over phone to self-report height and weight for them and their child. This was followed by objective measurement of maternal and child height and weight by study staff in a clinical setting. The descriptive and statistical analysis of the data obtained were carried out using SAS software. RESULTS: 1) The mean weight of mothers who inaccurately self-reported their weight was 9.5 kg greater than the mean weight of those who reported accurately (P < 0.001). (2) Despite being aware of, and reporting their own measurements, 50% (n = 116) of mothers reported not knowing their child's height and 23% (n = 54) of them reported not knowing their child's weight. CONCLUSION: Strategies to tackle both maternal awareness and accuracy of child's measurements can help with early identification of child's obesity risk and prevention of long-term consequences.
OBJECTIVES: A constant challenge in addressing the issue of obesity is the validity and reliability of self-reported measurements to calculate body mass index, that assesses the prevalence of obesity in a population. The objective of this study is to analyze both awareness and accuracy of mothers who are overweight or obese, in reporting their own and their child's height and weight measurements. STUDY DESIGN: cross-sectional study. METHODS: In this study, mothers were asked over phone to self-report height and weight for them and their child. This was followed by objective measurement of maternal and child height and weight by study staff in a clinical setting. The descriptive and statistical analysis of the data obtained were carried out using SAS software. RESULTS: 1) The mean weight of mothers who inaccurately self-reported their weight was 9.5 kg greater than the mean weight of those who reported accurately (P < 0.001). (2) Despite being aware of, and reporting their own measurements, 50% (n = 116) of mothers reported not knowing their child's height and 23% (n = 54) of them reported not knowing their child's weight. CONCLUSION: Strategies to tackle both maternal awareness and accuracy of child's measurements can help with early identification of child's obesity risk and prevention of long-term consequences.
Authors: Debra Haire-Joshu; Cynthia D Schwarz; Karen Steger-May; Christy Lapka; Kenneth Schechtman; Ross C Brownson; Rachel G Tabak Journal: Am J Prev Med Date: 2018-03 Impact factor: 5.043