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Average body mass index (BMI) based on self-reported height and weight are underreported unless adjusted

Bar chart showing average body mass index (BMI) based on measured and self-reported National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data and unadjusted and adjusted self-reported scanner data.

Most surveys to determine obesity rates using body mass index (BMI) rely on self-reported height and weight, which often can be misreported. Using both self-reported and measured heights and weights from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), self-reported information in scanner data can be adjusted to reduce measurement error.

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