Abstract P306: Italian National Health Examination Surveys 2008-2012: Differences in Measured and Self-reported Anthropometric Data

Abstract

Background: Health Interview Survey (HIS) collects only self-reported height and weight to estimate obesity prevalence. Because of self-reporting, estimated obesity prevalence could be too low. From 2008 to 2012 an Health Examination Survey/Osservatorio Epidemiologico Cardiovascolare (HES/OEC) has been implemented in Italy with the aim of assessing cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, prevalence of risk conditions and CV diseases for the Italian adult population. Differences in measured and self-reported main anthropometric measures are described. Methods: Random samples of general population stratified by age and sex were examined in all Italian regions (participation rate 56%). Self-reported height and weight were requested to participants just after the welcome at the screening center. Height and weight were then measured using standardized procedures and methods. BMI was categorized in 3 groups: normal (BMI<25 kg/m2), overweight (25<=BMI<30 kg/m2), obesity (BMI>=30 kg/m2). Comparisons between measured and reported height, weight, and calculated BMI in men and women were assessed using t-test for means and chi-squared test for prevalence for paired samples. Results: Data from 2,583 men and 2,575 women aged 35-79 years were analysed. In men, measured height was lower than self-reported (-2.1 cm.), measured weight resulted higher than self-reported (+0.3 kg.); as a consequence BMI calculated on measured data resulted higher than that based on self-reported data (+0.8 kg/m2). Prevalence of obesity was higher for measured data than for self-reported (+7.1%). In men, difference between measured and self-reported height resulted higher in obese category than in the overweight or normal groups (-2.6 cm.), as well as for weight (+1.6 kg.). Similar results were registered in women: measured height was lower than self-reported (-3.6 cm.), measured weight resulted higher than self-reported (+0.8 kg.); as a consequence BMI calculated on measured data resulted higher than that based on self-reported data (+1.6 kg/m2). Prevalence of obesity was higher for measured data than for self-reported (+9.2%). Difference between measured and self-reported height resulted higher in obese category than in the overweight or normal groups (-5.0 cm.), as well as for weight (1.8 kg.). Both in men and women differences increased by age-group. Conclusions: Our results confirm how important is to produce standardised measures, also to adjust and correct self-reported height and weight, in order to have a reliable picture of obesity in the population. At present obesity is still a priority in public health and is one of the main indicator to plan community actions for cardiovascular disease prevention in the population.