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Regression models to predict corrected weight, height and obesity prevalence from self-reported data: data from BRFSS
1National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA. rij0@cdc.gov
International Journal of Obesity (2005)
|April 14, 2010
Summary
Self-reported obesity prevalence is underestimated in surveys like the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Regression models can predict corrected obesity rates, offering more accurate data for health planning.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Biostatistics
Background:
- Surveys like the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) rely on self-reported height and weight.
- This self-reported data leads to an underestimation of obesity prevalence rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- Develop regression models to predict accurate height, weight, and obesity prevalence from self-reported data.
- Compare obesity prevalence from self-reported versus modeled data.
- Analyze trends in obesity prevalence by gender, age, and race/ethnicity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data (1999-2006) to build regression models.
- Applied regression coefficients to predict corrected measures for BRFSS data (1999-2007).
Main Results:
- Self-reported weights were generally higher for males and lower for females compared to corrected weights.
- Weight underreporting was lowest among Hispanics and increased with body mass index.
- Height overreporting increased with age.
- Self-reported obesity prevalence was 4.5-5.8% lower for males and 4.4-5.1% lower for females than corrected rates.
- Obesity underreporting increased with age.
- Obesity prevalence rates showed an increasing trend over time across all demographic groups.
Conclusions:
- Obesity prevalence derived from self-reported data is inaccurate and should be used cautiously for health planning.
- Developed regression models provide a method to estimate corrected height and weight when measured data is unavailable.
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