Validity of Self-Reported Body Mass, Height, and Body Mass Index in Female Students: The Role of Physical Activity Level, Menstrual Cycle Phase, and Time of Day

Eleni Kintziou, Pantelis T. Nikolaidis, Vasiliki Kefala, Thomas Rosemann and Beat Knechtle
Additional contact information
Eleni Kintziou: Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Egaleo, Greece
Pantelis T. Nikolaidis: Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Egaleo, Greece
Vasiliki Kefala: Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Egaleo, Greece
Thomas Rosemann: Gesundheitszentrum St. Gallen, 9001 St. Gallen, Switzerland
Beat Knechtle: Gesundheitszentrum St. Gallen, 9001 St. Gallen, Switzerland

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 7, 1-7

Abstract: A large part of research using questionnaires for female university students relies on self-reported body mass, height, and body mass index (BMI) data; however, the validity of these data in this population group is unknown. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to examine the validity of self-reported body mass, height, and BMI in female students. Female students of biomedical sciences ( n = 93, age 21.8 ± 4.7 years, height 1.63 ± 0.06 m, weight 60.5 ± 11.9 kg, and BMI 22.7 ± 3.8 kg/m 2 ) completed the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and were tested for anthropometric characteristics at three different times of the day (12–2 p.m., n = 36; 2–4 p.m., n = 20; 4–6 p.m., n = 37). Participants over-reported height (+0.01 ± 0.02 m, +0.9 ± 1.2%, Cohen’s d = 0.22) and under-reported weight (−0.8 ± 2.1 kg, −1.2 ± 3.6%, d = −0.07) and BMI (−0.7 ± 1.0 kg/m 2 , −2.9 ± 4.2%, d = −0.19) ( p < 0.001). A moderate main effect of time of day on %Δweight ( p = 0.017, η 2 = 0.086) and %ΔBMI ( p = 0.045, η 2 = 0.067), but not on %Δheight ( p = 0.952, η 2 = 0.001), was observed, where the group tested at 4–6 p.m. under-reported weight and BMI more than the 2–4 p.m. group. The weekly metabolic equivalent (MET) × min did not correlate with %Δheight ( r = 0.06, p = 0.657), but its correlations with %Δweight ( r = −0.27, p = 0.051) and %ΔBMI ( r = −0.238, p = 0.089) reached statistical significance. Participants in the early follicular phase reported BMI more accurately ( p = 0.084, d = 0.68) than those in the mid-luteal phase. In conclusion, female students over-reported height and under-reported weight and BMI. Under-reporting weight and BMI is influenced by time of day and menstrual cycle phase. These findings should be considered by health professionals and researchers when administering questionnaires to female students.

Keywords: anthropometry; MET; questionnaire; survey; vigorous exercise (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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