Validade de medidas antropométricas autorreferidas para o diagnóstico de excesso de peso: uma revisão sistemática

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to investigate the validity of self-reported anthropometric measures to obtain the diagnosis of overweight in health research, through a systematic review. Methods: Through the SCOPUS, PubMed and SciELO databases, articles were selected using the descriptors in the field of title/summary: anthropometry; or BMI; or body weight;or body height; and nutritional status; or overweight or obesity; and validity; and self-report; and adults in Portuguese and English. Only the studies in a scientific paper format were included, which were available for public access and whose purpose was to validate measures of self-reported weight and height in adults. Results: Of 232 scientific articles found, 30 articles were included for validation analysis. Although there was a frequent overestimation of the height and underestimation of the weight, and consequently the underestimation of the BMI, most of the studies validated such measures because of their good correlation of values with the ones measured. Conclusion: The self-reported anthropometric measures were considered valid, but it can not yet be safely stated that they can be used in researches with any sociodemographic conditions and characteristics, despite their great contribution in relation to ease, speed and low cost when collecting data.