Volume 32 - Article 39 | Pages 1081–1098
The reliability of in-home measures of height and weight in large cohort studies: Evidence from Add Health
Date received: | 15 Aug 2012 |
Date published: | 27 May 2015 |
Word count: | 2500 |
Keywords: | body mass index, health, obesity, reliability |
DOI: | 10.4054/DemRes.2015.32.39 |
Abstract
Background: With the emergence of obesity as a global health issue, an increasing number of major demographic surveys are collecting measured anthropometric data. Yet little is known about the characteristics and reliability of these data.
Objective: We evaluate the accuracy and reliability of anthropometric data collected in the home during Wave IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), compare our estimates to national standard, clinic-based estimates from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and, using both sources, provide a detailed anthropometric description of young adults in the United States.
Methods: The reliability of Add Health in-home anthropometric measures was estimated from repeat examinations of a random subsample of study participants. A digit preference analysis evaluated the quality of anthropometric data recorded by field interviewers. The adjusted odds of obesity and central obesity in Add Health vs. NHANES were estimated with logistic regression.
Results: Short-term reliabilities of in-home measures of height, weight, waist and arm circumference - as well as derived body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) - were excellent. Prevalence of obesity (37% vs. 29%) and central obesity (47% vs. 38%) was higher in Add Health than in NHANES, while socio-demographic patterns of obesity and central obesity were comparable in the two studies.
Conclusions: Properly trained non-medical field interviewers can collect reliable anthropometric data in a nationwide, home visit study. This national cohort of young adults in the United States faces a high risk of early-onset chronic disease and premature mortality.
Author's Affiliation
Jon Hussey - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States of America
Quynh C. Nguyen - Northeastern University, United States of America
Eric A. Whitsel - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States of America
Liana J. Richardson - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States of America
Carolyn Tucker Halpern - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States of America
Penny Gordon-Larsen - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States of America
Joyce W. Tabor - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States of America
Pamela P. Entzel - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States of America
Kathleen Mullan Harris - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, United States of America
Most recent similar articles in Demographic Research
»
The weight of school entry: Weight gain among Hispanic children of immigrants during the elementary school years
Volume 40 - Article 5 | Keywords: health, obesity
»
Digital divide and body size disparities among Chinese adults
Volume 38 - Article 4 | Keywords: body mass index, obesity
»
The contribution of differences in adiposity to educational disparities in mortality in the United States
Volume 37 - Article 54 | Keywords: health, obesity
»
A systematic literature review of studies analyzing the effect of sex, age, education, marital status, obesity, and smoking on health transitions
Volume 20 - Article 5 | Keywords: health, obesity
»
The lasting impact of parental migration on children's education and health outcomes: The case of China
Volume 43 - Article 9 | Keywords: health
Articles
Citations
Cited References: 23
»View the references of this article
Download to Citation Manager
Similar Articles
PubMed
»Articles by Liana J. Richardson
»Articles by Carolyn Tucker Halpern
»Articles by Penny Gordon-Larsen
»Articles by Kathleen Mullan Harris
Google Scholar
»Articles by Liana J. Richardson
»Articles by Carolyn Tucker Halpern
»Articles by Penny Gordon-Larsen
»Articles by Kathleen Mullan Harris