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AIMS: (1) Determine the accuracy of self-reported height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) calculated from those values in a population suffering from both serious mental illness (SMI) and overweight/obesity; (2) identify any associations that may predict error in self-reported measurements. Data were collected from screening appointments for two clinical trials for adult patients with SMI and overweight/obesity (BMI > 28) who gained weight while on antipsychotic medications. Both studies were conducted at the same urban community mental health center. Differences in self-reported and measured height, weight, and BMI were calculated. Analysis included age, sex, race, psychiatric diagnosis, and level of education. BMI calculated from self-reported height and weight were significantly lower (-0.47kg/m2) than measured values. Height was significantly overestimated (1.04cm), while weight was underestimated (0.055kg). Men underestimated BMI more than women (0.55 vs. 0.41kg/m2). Increasing age correlated with lower accuracy of self-reported height and BMI. No differences due to psychiatric diagnosis, race, or education were found. BMI calculated from self-reported height and weight from patients with SMI and overweight/obesity is as accurate as the self-reported measurements collected from the general population and, while measurement is best, self-reports can be used as a tool for screening for obesity.

Original publication

DOI

10.1016/j.psychres.2017.07.015

Type

Journal article

Journal

Psychiatry Res

Publication Date

11/2017

Volume

257

Pages

51 - 55

Keywords

Antipsychotic, Body Mass Index, Obesity, Overweight, Adult, Body Height, Body Mass Index, Body Weight, Data Accuracy, Female, Humans, Male, Mentally Ill Persons, Middle Aged, Obesity, Reproducibility of Results, Self Report