Comparison of measured and self-reported anthropometric information among firefighters: implications and applications |
| |
Authors: | Hongwei Hsiao Darlene Weaver James Hsiao Jennifer Whitestone Tsui-Ying Kau Richard Whisler |
| |
Affiliation: | 1. Division of Safety Research, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Morgantown, WV, USA;2. College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA;3. Total Contact Inc., Germantown, OH, USA;4. Clinical Information and Decision Support Services, University of Michigan Hospital, Ann Arbor, MI, USA |
| |
Abstract: | This study evaluated the accuracy of self-reported body weight and height compared to measured values among firefighters and identified factors associated with reporting error. A total of 863 male and 88 female firefighters in four US regions participated in the study. The results showed that both men and women underestimated their body weight ( ? 0.4 ± 4.1, ? 1.1 ± 3.6 kg) and overestimated their height (29 ± 18 , 17 ± 16 mm). Women underestimated more than men on weight (p = 0.022) and men overestimated more than women on height (p < 0.001). Reporting errors on weight were increased with overweight status (p < 0.001) and were disproportionate among subgroups. About 27% men and 24% women had reporting errors on weight greater than ± 2.2 kg, and 59% men and 28% women had reporting errors on height greater than 25 mm.Practitioner Summary: This study along with literature revealed that the self-reported approach is not a sustainable option for anthropometric surveys, even for gathering data from physically active professional groups, such as firefighters, who presumably are knowledgeable of their body dimensions. Self-reported anthropometric information is undependable in important population subgroups. |
| |
Keywords: | weight height self-reported firefighter anthropometry obesity |
|
|