Validação do peso e altura referidos para o diagnóstico do estado nutricional em uma população de adultos no sul do Brasil

Abstract

This study evaluated the accuracy of body mass index (BMI) based on self-reported weight and height for predicting adult nutritional status. In a cross-sectional study of 3,934 adults (> 20 years) in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, a sub-sample of 140 individuals was drawn and weight and height were measured. From the comparison between “measured” and “reported” BMI, the average reported BMI error was esti- mated and the associated factors were identi- fied. Regardless of nutritional status, women underestimated their “reported” BMI, while in men this information was accurate. Among women, age and income were associated with underestimated BMI in a multivariate analysis. Thus, women over 50 and with lower income underestimated BMI by more than 2kg/m 2 . The use of “reported” BMI to predict adult nutrition- al status can underestimate prevalence of obesi- ty and overestimate that of overweight in women. Correction minimizes this kind of bias, thereby making the data more accurate.