Estimating equations to correct self-reported height and weight: Implications for prevalence of overweight and obesity in Australia

Abstract

Objective: To derive correction equations based on nationally representative data, for the error associated with self-reported height and weight and to apply these to recent estimates of overweight and obesity in the Australian adult population. Methods: Linear regression was used to derive correction equations to predict reporting error on height, weight and body mass index (BMI) for 8,435 adults, aged 20 and over, who had their height and weight accurately measured as participants of the 1995 National Nutrition Survey (NNS) and who had also supplied self-reported information within the 1995 National Health Survey (NHS). Results: Evaluation of different correction algorithms suggests that s..