Validity of Self-Reported Height, Weight and Body Mass Index Among Cypriot Adolescents: Accuracy in Assessing Overweight Status and Weight Overestimation as Predictor of Disordered Eating Behaviour

Abstract

Aim: the aim of the present study was to assess the validity of self-reported weight and height among Cypriot
adolescents. Method: Adolescents’ weight and height was measured during school. Students completed the questionnaires
EAT-26 and EDI-3. Results: self-reported and measured weight and height are highly correlated. Boys underreport their weight
by 0.28 kg and over report their height by 0.84 cm; girls underreport their weight by 0.91 kg and over report their height by 1.52
cm. 8% of overweight adolescents would have been neglected if self-report measures were relied upon. Overweight adolescents
make greater self-report errors in BMI in comparison to their normal/ underweight counterparts. Adolescents who overestimated
their weight by 5% had lower scores on Drive for thinness scales and Body dissatisfaction scales. Conclusion: relying on selfreport
estimates of height and weight can lead to erroneous conclusions of prevalence estimates of overweight and obesity
among Cypriot adolescents and must be used with caution.