How well do you know your size? Accuracy of self-reported measures vs. BMI & waist to height ratio among Mexican women

• Autores: Dagmara Wrzecionkowska, Rolando Díaz Loving, Olga Flores Cano
• Localización: Journal of Behavior, Health & Social Issues, ISSN 2007-0780, ISSN-e 2007-0772, Vol. 13, Nº. 1, 2021 (Ejemplar dedicado a: Ene-2021 Abr-2021), págs. 1-11
• Idioma: español
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• Resumen

  • In Mexico 72.5% of adults are overweight, yet many are unaware of their excessive weight, meaning not taking action to lose weight. We compared BMI-measured (BMIM) with (1) BMI-reported (BMIR) calculated with self-reported weight and height, (2) own figure identified on Figure Rating Scale and (3) perception metric of Weight Status (WS). We also evaluated whether any of three metrics predicted Waist-to-Height-Ratio (WHtR), a better indicator than BMI of cardio-metabolic risks. 280 female students had measures and self-reports taken. Linear regression and ROC curves were calculated. Majority of participants had average BMIM (69%), yet 52% were at cardio-metabolic risk based on WHtR≥0.5. Majority knew well their height and weight (BMIR explained 90% of BMIM variance), yet it did not necessarily mean they knew their Weight Status. When asked about WS 27% indicated a different weight category than one identified based on BMIM. None of three proxy-measures predicted well WHtR, indicating the need for establishing such, and for building awareness of waist circumference. Results suggest that numbers such as own weight and height can be easily retrieved from memory, yet their meaning come from socio-cultural context.