When compared to other Australian studies, our study had lower mean differences in self-reported and measured values for reporting of height and weight, particularly for females.
However, consistent with findings of previous studies [ 2, 11, 12, 15, 16], differences between MWS and NSHD anthropometric data included systematic over-reporting of height, and under-reporting of weight that was more pronounced among heavier individuals.
To assess factors influencing non-reporting of height and weight, we fit a logistic regression predicting reporting of height and weight by age, ethnicity, education, literacy, and time since last weighing.
Among both women and men, self-reports of height exhibit significant social desirability bias only among those of below-average height, and very few individuals underreport their height.
Using self-reported weight and height data may raise concerns about systematic measurement error (in particular, systematic under-reporting of weight and/or systematic over-reporting of height), which could bias the results.
Each participant completed study questionnaires (which included a self-report of height, weight, and diabetes status) and provided 30 mL of research blood sample.
The primary exposure was body mass index (BMI), which was assessed by self-report of height in centimeters and weight in kilograms.
However, with regard to BMI, a previous validation study found that self-report of height and weight in the BWHS is highly accurate (32).
The reliability of self-report of height and weight was assessed in the GENDEP data-set (n = 811) where we also had measured height and weight.
