When adjusted, body mass index (BMI) based on self-reported height and weight in scanner data better aligns with measured data

Bar chart showing percent of U.S. adults who are underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and obese using measured National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data and adjusted and unadjusted 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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