Self-Reported vs. Measured Body Mass Index (BMI) in Iranian women

Background: Obesity is a growing public health challenge, especially among women. Body size is an important part of a person’s self-representation. An accurate self-reported BMI provides a simple and economical method for research projects. This study compared self-reported versus clinically measured data from women in the North West of Iran, Urmia.Methods: This cross-sectional study collected self-reported and measured BMI of women from all regions of Urmia by multistage random sampling method. Participants weight and height were measured at their children's schools by two trained experts and they reported their own body size perception via a questionnaire as part of a larger study. BMI was categorized (underweight, normal, overweight, and obese). The correlation between measured and self-reported BMI was examined using Spearman's correlation.Results: A total of 528 participated, with the age range of 19-55 years and a mean BMI of 27.5 ± 4.5 kg/m2. Most of them (78%) were housewives and with high school education (33.7%). The Finding showed 2.5% of the participants described their own body size as very thin, 10.8% as somewhat thin, 49.8% as normal weight, 30.1% as overweight, and 6.8% as obese. While direct measurement indicated 29.6% were normal weight, 43.8% overweight, and 25.9% obese. Of the 12 women who perceived themselves as thin, 5 (41.37%) were actually overweight. Poor correlation was observed between measured and self-reported BMI (r = 0.03; P < 0.001).Conclusion: Women tended to under-report their own weight. Therefore, this study suggests self-reported anthropometric measurements in women cannot be used for health interventions.Message for policymakers: Epidemiologic research should consider potential under-estimation of BMI in heavier women, and perform direct measurements where feasible. Findings provide support for not using self-reported anthropometric data in this sample of women for policymaking and intervention planning.

Self-Reported vs. Measured Body Mass Index (BMI) in Iranian women Keywords:

Accuracy , women , BMI