Abstract
We aimed to understand adults’ self-weighing behaviors and explore significant predictors of body mass index (BMI) accuracy based on self-reported height and weight in a diverse sample of community-dwelling adults. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 531 adults participating in a physical activity program or a weight loss program were analyzed. Participants’ self-reported and objectively measured weight, height, weight scale ownership, self-weighing behaviors, and medical history were collected. Results: The mean age (standard deviation) was 50.0 (12.0) years with a range of 24 to 78 years. Out of 531 participants, 455 (85.7%) were women. The study population was diverse (58.9% non-White). In total, 409 (77.0%) participants had a weight scale at home, but only 222 (41.8%) weighed themselves at least once a week. The weight and BMI underestimation became much more significant as the participant’s weight increased (p ≤ 0.001). Employment status, high cholesterol, and low objectively measured weight were significant predictors of self-reported BMI accuracy after controlling for potential confounding factors (p < 0.05). Interestingly, ownership of a home weight scale and the frequency of self-weighing behavior were not significantly associated with the accuracy of self-reported BMI (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The accuracy of the participants’ BMI, based on self-reported height and weight, was significantly associated with employment status, high cholesterol, and low objectively measured weight, suggesting that BMI accuracy depends on multi factors.
Funder
National Institute of Nursing Research
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
UCSF Diabetes Family Fund for Innovative Patient Care-Education and Scientific Discovery Award
Subject
Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health