Is measuring best? Evaluating report derived body mass index in Special Olympics participants

To determine the proportion of overweight/obesity, studies save time and money by using reported height and weight for the calculation of body mass index (BMI). However, no studies have reported the validity of self and proxy-reported height and weight in persons with intellectual disabilities (ID). This study aimed to determine the validity of self and proxy-reported height and weight for the calculation of BMI in individuals with ID. Manuscript 1 (Self-report): Results demonstrate that self-reports from individuals with ID are valid, and can be used when physical measurement are not feasible. Manuscript 2 (Proxy-report): Results show that proxy-reported height and weight for individuals with ID, specifically parents, were fairly accurate and may be used when physical measurements are not possible. Conclusion: The results from this study suggest that individuals with ID and their proxies can report height and weight. These results need to be confirmed using larger sample sizes.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Health Sciences (MHSc)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Community Health

Grantor

University of Ontario Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2015

Author dc:creator

• Dobranowski, Kristin

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Balogh, Robert
• Lloyd, Meghann
• Côté, Pierre

• Intellectual disability
• Overweight
• Obesity
• Body mass index
• Measurement

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10155/524

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ontariotechu.scholaris.ca:10155/524