Determinação do estado nutricional de adolescentes por meio de medidas referidas de peso e estatura: um estudo de validação / Determination of the nutritional status of adolescents through self-reported weight and height: a validation study
This study verified the validity of self-reported weight and height to determine the nutritional status of adolescents. A total of 641 students from high schools of Londrina-PR self reported their weight and height and, thereafter, had these variables measured with a digital scale and a stadiometer. The body mass index (BMI) was calculated from both self reported and measured weight and height and the nutritional status was determined. On average, the IMC obtained from self-reported measures was underestimated in both sexes, with a higher degree of underestimation in girls compared with boys (0.44 and 0.24kg/m2). There was a trend for stronger underestimation of BMI among those at risk of overweight (P<0.001). One third of girls at risk of overweight were misclassified from the self reported measures. The prevalence of girls at risk of overweight was underestimated in 2.5 percentage points (10.9 versus 8.4; p< 0.05). It was concluded that self reported measures of weight and height underestimate the BMI of adolescents, and misclassification of nutritional status is a concern, mainly in female and/or those at risk of overweight.