Accuracy of parent- and self-reported height and weight data in children: a systematic review

Growth monitoring is a key component of preventive youth healthcare (YHC) in the Netherlands and many other countries. Parent- and self-reported height and weight measurements can be used to enhance flexibility and parental involvement, especially during remote visits. While these data are practical, concerns exist about their accuracy, particularly for individual assessment. This literature review aimed to determine the accuracy of parent- or self-reported height and weight data for use in YHC. A systematic review was conducted, including studies from the past 13.5 years comparing parent- or self-reported and measured height and weight data in children. Data on correlation coefficients and mean differences were extracted. Meta-analyses were performed by reporting source, age group, and sex. Twenty-nine studies were included. Correlations between reported and measured values ranged from poor to almost perfect. Parent-reported data were more accurate for children aged 4-11 years than for those aged 0-3 years; self-reported data were more accurate in adolescents aged 12-18 years than for those aged 4-11 years. Systematic underestimation of height and weight was observed in parent-reported data for those aged 4-11 years. Self-reported data showed similar trends, with accuracy increasing with age. We conclude that parent- and self-reported height and weight data lack sufficient accuracy for individual growth monitoring in YHC. If used, the data source should be clearly indicated in health records. Further research is needed to improve the accuracy of reported measurements for potential use in Dutch YHC.