The Accuracy of Self-Reported Body Weight Is High but Dependent on Recent Weight Change and Negative Affect in Teenage Girls

BACKGROUND

Research studies often rely on self-reported weight to calculate body mass index. The present study investigated how the accuracy of self-reported body weight in adolescent girls is affected by overweight/obesity, race/ethnicity, and mental health factors.

METHODS

In a cohort of girls who participated in the Trial of Activity for Adolescent Girls at ages 11 and 17 (n = 588), self-reported and measured weight were compared, and linear regression models were fitted to model the over- or underreporting. The Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D) was used to calculate depressive symptom subscales for negative affect, anhedonia and somatic symptoms.

RESULTS

Allowing 3% difference between self-reported and measured weight for the correct reporting of body weight, 59.2% of girls reported their weight correctly, 30.3% underreported (-5.8 ± 4.8 kg), and 10.5% overreported (4.3 ± 3.5 kg). The average difference between self-reported and measured body weight was -1.5 ± 4.3 kg (p < 0.001). Factors for misreporting body weight were overweight (β ± SE - 2.60 ± 0.66%), obesity (β ± SE - 2.41 ± 0.71%), weight change between ages 11 and 17 (β ± SE - 0.35 ± 0.04% for each kg), height change between ages 11 and 17 (β ± SE 0.29 ± 0.10% for each cm), and negative affect (β ± SE - 0.18 ± 0.08% for each score unit).

CONCLUSIONS

The difference between self-reported and measured body weight in adolescent girls is relatively small. However, the accuracy of self-reported body weight may be lower in girls with overweight or obesity, recent weight and height change, and higher negative affect.

"Wellness Champions for Change," a multi-level intervention to improve school-level implementation of local wellness policies: Study protocol for a cluster randomized trial

Schools are a recommended place for childhood obesity prevention. Local Wellness Policies (LWPs) establish guidelines for schools to provide opportunities for students to access nutritious foods and be physically active. Little is known about the impact of LWPs, when implemented, on students' behavior and body mass index (BMI). The Wellness Champions for Change trial assesses the student-level impact of providing theory-based training and technical assistance to help schools implement LWPs. This 3-arm, cluster randomized controlled trial will take place in 30 low- or middle-income schools (15 elementary and 15 middle) in five Maryland school districts. Ten schools will receive both Wellness Champions for Change (WCC), which involves training teacher-led wellness teams, and Wellness Champions for Change-Student (WCC-S), which engages students as wellness team members. Ten schools will receive WCC only, and ten control schools will receive a delayed intervention. The RE-AIM framework will guide evaluation. Student Effectiveness measures will include BMI z-scores, self-reported diet patterns, and objectively-measured physical activity. The sample size (1080 students across 30 schools, followed for 2.5 years) will enable power (>0.8) to detect BMI z-score differences. A three-level linear mixed model that accounts for clustering will be used to assess Effectiveness. A mixed methods approach will assess school- and district-level Reach, Adoption, and Implementation. If effective, this approach will represent a sustainable, multi-level, school-based strategy to prevent childhood obesity. The evaluation framework will allow for the description of factors necessary to broadly disseminate this approach for obesity prevention on a large scale.

Sandy lake health and diabetes project: a community-based intervention targeting type 2 diabetes and its risk factors in a first nations community

The Sandy Lake Health and Diabetes Project (SLHDP) was initiated in 1991 as a partnership between Sandy Lake First Nation and researchers interested in addressing the high rates of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the community. Following the expressed wishes of the community, the SLHDP has encompassed a variety of community-wide interventions and activities including: community surveys to document T2DM prevalence and risk factors, the Northern Store program aimed at increasing the availability and knowledge of healthy food options, a home visit program for the prevention and management of T2DM, a local diabetes radio show, a school diabetes curriculum for grades 3 and 4, a community-wide walking trail to encourage increased physical activity, youth diabetes summer camps, and a variety of community events focusing on nutrition and physical activity. Over the 22 year existence of the SLHDP, the community has taken ownership of the program and activities have evolved in alignment with community needs and priorities. This paper discusses the history, implementation, evaluation, and outcomes of the SLHDP and describes its sustainability. The SLHDP is a model of culturally appropriate participatory research that is iterative, with reciprocal capacity building for both key community stakeholders and academic partners.

The role of peer social network factors and physical activity in adolescent girls

OBJECTIVE

To study the relationship between peer-related physical activity (PA) social networks and the PA of adolescent girls.

METHODS

Cross-sectional, convenience sample of adolescent girls. Mixed-model linear regression analyses to identify significant correlates of self-reported PA while accounting for correlation of girls in the same school.

RESULTS

Younger girls were more active than older girls. Most activity-related peer social network items were related to PA levels. More PA with friends was significantly related to self-reported PA in multivariate analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

Frequency of PA with friends was an important correlate of PA among the peer network variables for adolescent girls.

Relationship between patients' perceptions of disadvantage and discrimination and listing for kidney transplantation

OBJECTIVES

This study explored wait-listing decisions among African American and White men and women eligible for kidney transplants, focusing on lifetime experiences of race and sex discrimination as a possible influence.

METHODS

Patient records from 3 Baltimore-area hemodialysis units were reviewed, and semistructured face-to-face interviews were conducted with transplant-eligible patients and with unit staff members.

RESULTS

African American patients reported more racial discrimination, and women reported more sex discrimination. Women and older patients were less likely to be placed on the waiting list, as were patients with previous experiences of racial discrimination. Discrimination measures predicted list access more strongly than patient race.

CONCLUSIONS

Lifetime experience of and response to discrimination may contribute to race and sex differences in access to care and should be included in research on health care disparities.

Overweight among children and adolescents in a Native Canadian community: prevalence and associated factors

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of pediatric obesity in North America is increasing. Native American children are at especially high risk.

OBJECTIVES

The objective was to evaluate the prevalence of pediatric overweight and associated behavioral factors in a Native Canadian community with high rates of adult obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

DESIGN

Height and weight were measured in 445 children and adolescents aged 2-19 y. Fitness level, television viewing, body image concepts, and dietary intake were assessed in 242 subjects aged 10-19 y. Overweight was defined as a body mass index > or =85th percentile value for age- and sex-specific reference data from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). Multiple logistic regression was used to examine factors associated with overweight, with adjustment for age and sex.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of overweight in subjects aged 2-19 y was significantly higher than NHANES III reference data [boys: 27. 7% (95% CI: 21.8, 34.5); girls: 33.7% (95% CI: 27.9, 40.1)]. In the subset aged 10-19 y, > or =5 h television viewing/d was associated with a significantly higher risk of overweight than was < or =2 h/d [odds ratio (OR) = 2.52; 95% CI: 1.06, 5.98]. Subjects in the third and fourth quartiles of fitness had a substantially lower risk of overweight than did those in the first quartile [third quartile compared with first quartile: OR = 0.24 (95% CI: 0.09, 0.66); fourth quartile compared with first quartile: OR = 0.13 (95% CI: 0.03, 0. 48)]. Fiber consumption on the previous day was associated with a decreased risk of overweight (OR = 0.69; 95% CI: 0.47, 0.99 for each 0.77 g/MJ increase in fiber intake).

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric overweight is a harbinger of future diabetes risk and indicates a need for programs targeting primary prevention of obesity in children and adolescents.