Can self-reported height and weight be used among people living with HIV/AIDS?

Abstract

To assess the reliability and validity of self-reported height and weight in adults living with HIV/AIDS (ALWHA) we assessed 508 ALWHA of both genders on antiretroviral therapy. Height and weight were directly measured in a subsample. Sensitivity and specificity analysis were performed to determine the validity of self-reported measures. Bland–Altman's method was used to calculate the limits of agreement between values while reliability was assessed using intraclass coefficients. Regression equations were devised to determine actual measures from self-reported values. Mean differences among measured and self-reported weight were −0.96 kg for men and −0.54 kg for women. Mean height differences were less than 2 cm, yielding good reliability for body mass index (BMI). Overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²) diagnosis sensitivity was 90.6% and specificity was 81.2%. Corrected measures determined by regression equations had stronger correlation with self-reported values (r > 0.980). Self-reported height and weight showed good reliability and validity compared with directly measured height and weight. However, measures should be corrected whenever possible to achieve higher accuracy.