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PubMed1993

Validity of self-reported weight--a study of urban Brazilian adults.

In order to evaluate the validity of self-reported weight for use in obesity prevalence surveys, self-reported weight was compared to measured weight for 659 adults living in the Porto Alegre county, RS Brazil in 1986-87, both weights being obtained by a technician in the individual's home on the same visit. The mean difference between self-reported and measured weight was small (-0.06 +/- 3.16 kg; mean +/- standard deviation), and the correlation between reported and measured weight was high (r = 0.97). Sixty-two percent of participants reported their weight with an error of < 2 kg, 87% with an error of < 4 kg, and 95% with an error of < 6 kg. Underweight individuals overestimated their weight, while obese individuals underestimated theirs (p < 0.05). Men tended to overestimate their weight and women underestimate theirs, this difference between sexes being statistically significant (p = 0.04). The overall prevalence of underweight (body mass index < 20) by reported weight was 11%, by measured weight 13%; the overall prevalence of obesity (body mass index > or = 30) by reported weight was 10%, by measured weight 11%. Thus, the validity of reported weight is acceptable for surveys of the prevalence of ponderosity in similar settings.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Direct radioimmunoassay for rat high molecular weight kininogen. Measurement of immunoreactive high molecular weight kininogen in normal and kininogen deficient plasma.

A direct radioimmunoassay (RIA) for rat high molecular weight kininogen (HMW Kg) was developed that enabled us to detect 71 fmol/ml of HMW Kg. The antibodies did not crossreact in the RIA with up to 5 nmol of purified rat alpha 1 cysteine proteinase inhibitor (T-kininogen). When various quantities of pure HMW Kg were either quantified by the RIA or by the measurement of kinin contents determined after trypsin hydrolysis, identical values were obtained by both methods. This RIA allowed the measurement of HMW Kg in 0.015 to 1 microliter of rat plasma. HMW Kg levels in plasma of Wistar rats and in Brown Norway rats of the Orlean Strain (BN/Orl) were 1.52 +/- 0.05 (n = 6) and 2.050 +/- 0.015 (n = 8) nmol/ml respectively. In the Brown Norway rats of the Katholiek strain (BN/Kat) that are considered to be deficient in HMW Kg, immunoreactive HMW Kg levels were less than 2% of those of the BN/Orl rats. These results confirm that the BN/Kat animals have a molecular defect in HMW Kg.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Geographical differences in erythemally-weighted UV measured at mid-latitude USDA sites.

UV measurements from instruments maintained by USDA at 16 mid-latitude sites were analysed to investigate geographic differences. Fifteen of the sites are in North America, and one is in New Zealand. The instruments measure erythemally weighted UV radiation, and the results are presented in terms of UV Index (UVI). The focus of this work is on data from 2003, but the main results are also shown for years 2002 and 2004. In the North American sites, the peak UVI values increase by approximately 15% between latitudes 47 degrees N and 40 degrees N, and they show an increase with altitude of approximately 15% in the first kilometer, but much smaller rates of increase above that level. Peak UV intensities in the New Zealand site (45 degrees S, alt. 0.37 km) exceed those at comparable latitudes and altitudes in North America by 41 +/- 5%, and are more comparable with those over 1 km higher and 5 degrees closer to the equator. The number of observations on these days that exceeded various thresholds of UVI showed similar patterns. Furthermore, the number of days in which the peak values exceeded various thresholds also showed similar patterns, with the number of extreme values in New Zealand being anomalously high. For example, the only sites in North America where UVI exceeded 12 were at the high altitude sites in Colorado and Utah, for which there were 53 days, 6 days and 2 days respectively at the 3.2 km, 1.6 and 1.4 km sites. By contrast, the peak UVI at Lauder (0.37 km) exceeded 12 on 17 days. Lauder was the only site under 1 km altitude where the UVI exceeded 11 on a regular basis (48 days). The optical depths at Lauder were significantly lower than at all North American sites. These, together with the lower ozone amounts and the closer Earth-Sun separation in summer all contribute to the relatively high UV intensities at the New Zealand site. Other sites in New Zealand show similar increases compared with corresponding sites in North America, and the differences persist from year to year. The contrast in UV between New Zealand and North America is similar to that observed previously between New Zealand and Europe. During winter months, the UVI in New Zealand is not particularly high, giving a larger summer/winter contrast in UVI, which may be important from a health perspective.

Calibration↗
PubMed2005

Hypospadias in a cohort of 1072 Danish newborn boys: prevalence and relationship to placental weight, anthropometrical measurements at birth, and reproductive hormone levels at three months of age.

CONTEXT: Hypospadias is one of the most frequent male congenital malformations and may be part of the testicular dysgenesis syndrome. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of hypospadias in Denmark and evaluate the relationship to anthropometrical measurements at birth and reproductive hormone levels at 3 months of age. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study was conducted with 3-yr follow-up (1997-2004). SETTING: The population-based study was conducted at the University Hospital of Copenhagen. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1072 Danish boys were consecutively recruited antenatally, with 74.4% completing the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The study examined the position of the urethral meatus, anthropometrical measurements, placental weight, and reproductive hormone levels. RESULTS: The Danish birth prevalence of hypospadias was significantly higher than in a concomitant Finnish study (1.03 vs. 0.27%; P = 0.012). At 3 yr, the true prevalence was found to be 4.64% because additional mild cases were detected when physiological phimosis dissolved. Weight for gestational age (percentage deviation from expected mean) (-5.00 vs. -0.59%; P = 0.030) and placental weight (567 vs. 658 g; P = 0.023) were significantly lower, and FSH was significantly higher (1.48 vs. 1.15 IU/liter; P = 0.007) in boys with hypospadias, compared with healthy boys. CONCLUSIONS: We found a surprisingly high total rate of hypospadias of 4.6% in this large prospective cohort study. Seventy-two percent of the cases were apparent only after the prepuce could be retracted. Hypospadias were associated with elevated serum FSH levels at 3 months. We also confirmed an association between fetal growth impairment and hypospadias; however, it is yet unknown whether this indicates a causal relationship or a shared pathogenic factor.

Birth Weight↗
PubMed1987

[Effect of maternal constitutional factors and weight increase in pregnancy on the neonatal measurements of weight and length].

The significance of maternal constitutional factors and of maternal body weight increase during pregnancy for the condition of the newborn was investigated in 9,578 pregnancies. Statistical calculations were made by means of two-dimensional contingency table analyses. The body size of the mother, her relative weight at the beginning of pregnancy and the increase of body weight during pregnancy were correlated positively with the measures of the newborn. The weight of newborn has been mostly influenced by the maternal body size. It seems to be necessary to include the maternal constitution in the clinical valuation of the newborn status. The use of regional correction tables enables a more exact identification of hypotrophic newborns.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Solute/solvent interaction corrections account for non-ideal freezing point depression.

A new highly accurate curve-fitting technique for looking at freezing-point depression data was proposed by Fullerton et al. (Biochem. Cell Biol., in press). The method involve plotting mass solvent to mass solute ratio (Mw/M(s)) vs. 1/delta T (i.e. the inverse change in freezing point). A measured molecular weight and a solute/solvent interaction parameter (called I value) are inferred from the resultant linear plot. The accuracy of the molecular weight method was first demonstrated with the monomers of ethylene glycol, glycerol, propanol, mannitol, glucose and sucrose to show a mean molecular weight error of 0.02% with root mean square (RMS) error 0.9%. The RMS error (0.9%) is our best estimate of the molecular weight measurement accuracy for the method applied to a monomer. This error is consistent with the experimental precision (approximately 1%) which implies no systematic error. Non-ideality is described with a single constant, I. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymers of increasing length (vendor designation 200 to 10,000 Da) were analyzed to show monotonically increasing non-ideality (I values of 0.12 to 3.67) with increasing molecular weight. The measured molecular weights agreed with the end-point titration value for the three smallest polymers (where the number of polymeric units was less than or equal to 7). The method underestimates the vendor molecular weights for longer polymers. This disagreement is assigned to segmental motion (internal entropy) of longer, more flexible, PEG molecules.

Alcohols↗
PubMed2004

Measurement characteristics of weight concern and dieting measures in 8-10-year-old African-American girls from GEMS pilot studies.

BACKGROUND: Reliability and validity were established for weight concern measures completed by 8-10-year-old African-American girls participating in a pilot obesity prevention program. METHODS: Two hundred ten girls and parents participated in the program. Girls completed subscales of the McKnight Risk Factor Survey (MRFS) and body silhouette ratings, had height, weight, and body fat measured, wore accelerometers for 3 days, and completed two dietary recalls. Principal components analysis, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability were computed for weight concerns and body image measures along with convergent validity with body mass index (BMI), percent body fat (PBF), physical activity, and dietary intake. RESULTS: A Moderate Weight Control Behaviors (MWCB) subscale was derived from the MRFS. Overconcern with Weight and Shape (OWS) was a stand-alone scale. Internal consistency estimates for the scales were substantial ranging from 0.71 to 0.84. Test-retest reliabilities were moderate (0.45-0.58). OWS, MWCB, body silhouette rating, and body size discrepancy were positively associated with BMI and PBF. The "like to look" silhouette rating was negatively associated with PBF. CONCLUSIONS: Weight concern measures had reasonable levels of internal consistency and promising validity, but only moderate test-retest reliability among preadolescent African-American girls. Refinement and further validation of weight concern measures in this population are warranted.

Black or African American↗
PubMed2006

Performance of a weight-related measure of Quality of Life in a psychiatric sample.

The Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Lite (IWQOL-Lite) questionnaire has been validated previously in weight loss program participants and community volunteers. Because of the prevalence of obesity in individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, this study evaluates the psychometric performance of the IWQOL-Lite in these populations. A sample of 111 individuals with schizophrenia (mean age = 43.5; mean BMI = 32.6; 42.3% female; 59.5% Caucasian) and 100 with bipolar disorder (mean age = 42.8; mean BMI = 34.8; 66.0% female; 81.0% Caucasian) were recruited from four programs. Height and weight measurements were taken and participants completed the IWQOL-Lite, Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form-36 (SF-36), and Global Ratings of quality of life. Sixty-five participants completed the IWQOL-Lite 1-2 weeks later to determine stability of results. Sixty-four percent of schizophrenic participants and 68.0% of bipolar participants were obese. The IWQOL-Lite demonstrated excellent reliability in the current sample, with alpha coefficients ranging from 0.874 to 0.970 and test-retest coefficients ranging from 0.740 to 0.945. Correlations with collateral measures and BMI supported the construct validity of the IWQOL-Lite in this population. The IWQOL-Lite is a reliable and valid measure for assessing weight-related quality of life in individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Reliability of in-bed weighing procedures for critically ill infants.

The purpose of this study was to describe the intra- and interexaminer reliability of weight measurements obtained from critically ill infants on an in-bed electronic scale. Weight measurements were obtained using the in-bed scale (Smart Model 35, Olympic Medical, Seattle, Washington) for 32 infants; 16 were in an incubator, and 16 were under a radiant warmer. Two nurses each obtained two weight measurements for each infant for three consecutive days, for a total of 96 data collection sessions. The nurses were blinded to their own and to the other nurse's weight measurements. The average mean absolute difference for individual nurses' weight measurements (interexaminer reliability) was 12.58 gm for weights obtained in the incubator and 19.19 gm for weights obtained under the radiant warmer. The average mean absolute difference for pairs of nurses' weight measurements (interexaminer reliability) was 14.29 gm for weights obtained in the incubator and 24.42 gm for weights obtained under the radiant warmer. The average mean absolute differences for weights obtained in the two bed types differed significantly for both intra- (Z = -2.46, p = .0141) and interexaminer (Z = -3.11, p = .0019) reliability. The number of pieces of equipment that had to be held during the weight measurement was weakly correlated with both the intra- (rs = .1878, p = .0091) and interexaminer (rs = .1600, p = .0266) mean absolute differences. These findings suggest that weight measurements of critically ill infants obtained using the Smart Model 35 in-bed electronic scale are sufficiently reliable for calculation of medication, parenteral fluid, blood replacement, and nutritional requirements.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Anthropometry↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Weight and measurements of kidneys in northwest Indian adults.

Weights and measurements of paired kidneys obtained from medicolegal autopsies of northwest Indian adults, 155 males and 84 females, were compared. The right and left kidneys weighed 108.7 +/- 22.6 g and 111.8 +/- 23.3 g (P > 0.05), respectively, in males. Corresponding weights in females were 96.6 +/- 19.3 g and 99.4 +/- 25.3 g (P > 0.05) for the right and left kidneys, respectively. Sex differences in the weights of both right and left kidneys were statistically significant (P < 0.001). Other measurements of the right kidney in males were as follows: length, 99.5 +/- 9.4 mm; width at the middle of the hilum, 45.8 +/- 6.2 mm; and the thickness 33.3 +/- 5.2 mm, which did not differ from corresponding measurements of the left kidney (99.7 +/- 10.9 mm, 46.4 +/- 7.1 mm, and 34.0 +/- 6.4 mm, respectively). Other measurements of the right kidney in females were as follows: length, 91.3 +/- 8.7 mm; width at the middle of the hilum, 44.6 +/- 4.6 mm; and thickness 31.2 +/- 4.7 mm, which did not differ from those of the left kidney (92.1 +/- 11.0 mm, 43.5 +/- 6.5 mm, and 31.1 +/- 6.1 mm, respectively). Sex differences in measurements of both right and left kidneys were significant except for the width of the kidney at the middle and below the hilum.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

A weighted reliability measure for phonetic transcription.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present work is to describe and illustrate the utility of a new tool for assessment of transcription agreement. Traditional measures have not characterized overall transcription agreement with sufficient resolution, specifically because they have often treated all phonetic differences between segments in transcriptions as equivalent, thus constituting an unweighted approach to agreement assessment. The measure the authors have developed calculates a weighted transcription agreement value based on principles derived from widely accepted tenets of phonological theory. METHOD: To investigate the utility of the new measure, 8 coders transcribed samples of speech and infant vocalizations. Comparing the transcriptions through a computer-based implementation of the new weighted and the traditional unweighted measures, they investigated the scaling properties of both. RESULTS: The results illustrate better scaling with the weighted measure, in particular because the weighted measure is not subject to the floor effects that occur with the traditional measure when applied to samples that are difficult to transcribe. Furthermore, the new weighted measure shows orderly relations in degree of agreement across coded samples of early canonical-stage babbling, early meaningful speech in English, and 3 adult languages. CONCLUSIONS: The authors conclude that the weighted measure may provide improved foundations for research on phonetic transcription and for monitoring of transcription reliability.

Humans↗
PubMed1987

Appearance changes associated with participation in a behavioral weight control program.

Relationships among objectively-measured weight changes, perceived changes in weight, and perceived changes in attractiveness of participants in a behavioral weight control program were examined. Participants in the program were weighed and photographed before and after treatment and at a six-month follow-up session. These photographs were then rated on the dimensions of perceived weight and perceived attractiveness by the same participants, who were kept blind to the times at which the photographs were taken. Correlational analyses indicated that there was little correspondence between objectively-measured weight change and perceived weight changes or between objectively-measured weight change and perceived change in attractiveness. Perceptions of weight change and perceptions of attractiveness change were, however, strongly related.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Use of self-reported values of body weight and body height in nutritional status evaluation in adolescents].

INTRODUCTION: The aim of our study was to assess validity of self-reported body weight and height compared to measured values in a group of adolescents. We also investigated differences in reported and measured values and factors responsible for them in this particular population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 295 adolescents aged 11-14 (114 boys and 131 girls) attending primary schools in central Belgrade, recorded their BMI and completed a series of questionnaires measuring body satisfaction and eating patterns. All participants were measured afterwards. RESULTS: Differences between reported and measured weights were highly significant in girls (48.84 +/- 8.42 kg vs 49.69 +/- 9.28 kg). Significant differences between reported and measured weights were established in the group of adolescents with weight problems (-3.18 +/- 4.03 kg). Adolescents on diets presented a difference of -1.36 +/- 3.36 kg. Weight problems (OR 3.72, 95%CI: 2.10-4.75) and female gender (errors occurred more often for 22%, 95%CI: 0.23-1.80) were significant predictors in multivariate regression model for discrepancy of reported and measured weights. In a multivariate regression model, where differences in BMI were dependent variable, weight category was a significant predictor, with differences being 1.65 times more common (95%CI: 1.13-2.11). DISCUSSION: Our results suggest that self-reported body weight and height have limited reliability and can be used only in normal weight male adolescents. This method should not be recommended in surveys that involve overweight and/or obese adolescents and those who are on diet.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Self-reported versus measured height, weight and body mass index amongst 16-17 year old British teenagers.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationships between reported and measured height and weight in a teenage population group, and to assess the impact this may have on estimates of overweight. DESIGN: Data were taken from a sample of teenagers from the 1970 Birth Cohort Study. Multivariate normal regression was used to model differences between self-reported and measured height and weight, using both BMI and a number of other personal and demographic variables to examine influences on reporting differences. RESULTS: Tall, thin individuals were more likely to under-report their height and shorter, fatter individuals to overestimate their height and under-estimate their weight. Self-reported height and weight data when used to calculate BMI would result in a lower estimate of overweight teenagers. Self-assessment of body fatness, (but no other personal or demographic variable), was influential on the height and weight reporting of females in this study. CONCLUSION: Self-reported height and weight data from a teenage population should be used with caution, particularly if classifying individuals by BMI or when using weight measurements to estimate energy requirements.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Changes in linear dimensions of the heart, relative to body weight, as measured by M-mode echocardiography in growing dogs.

The growth of the heart, relative to body weight, was measured by M-mode echocardiography in dogs during the first year of life. Echocardiographic measurements were obtained from 16 English Pointers at 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks of age and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of age. Left atrial (LA), aortic (AO), left and right ventricular internal dimensions, interventricular septal and left ventricular wall thickness measurements increased in curvilinear fashion relative to increasing body weight. Least-squares regression analysis, performed on logarithmically transformed data, was used to develop power-law equations describing the relationship of echocardiographic measurements to body weight. Linear dimensions of the LA, AO, left and right ventricular internal dimensions and interventricular septal and left ventricular wall thickness changed proportionally to slightly differing exponential powers of body weight (BW), varying from 0.31 to 0.45 (BW0.31 to BW0.45). Fractional shortening and the LA to AO ratio decreased slightly, but significantly, as body weight increased. Indexing echocardiographic measurements to BW1/3 was more appropriate than indexing such measures linearly to body weight, offering a practical method for developing accurate normative graphs or tables for M-mode echocardiographic dimensions in growing dogs.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

A new approach to multicultural item generation in the development of two obesity-specific measures: the Obesity and Weight Loss Quality of Life (OWLQOL) questionnaire and the Weight-Related Symptom Measure (WRSM).

BACKGROUND: Being overweight or obese has substantial effects on individuals' perceptions of their health and quality of life (QoL). Generic measures often miss important QoL information, and existing obesity-specific instruments have shortcomings with respect to cross-cultural input, application to differing levels of severity, conceptual clarity, and patient burden. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop culturally sensitive measures of QoL and symptoms in overweight or obese persons, both those trying to lose weight and those not trying to lose weight. METHODS: Currently accepted criteria and guidelines for questionnaire development were streamlined and augmented to include cross-cultural input from 5 European countries and the United States. The preliminary pool of items was created based on qualitative interviews conducted in the United States, followed by an early check of item translatability and preharmonization across all languages. Ten additional qualitative in-country interviews were then conducted to produce further culture-specific items. This was followed by 2 forward and 1 backward translation, plus cognitive debriefing interviews in each country. Finally, an expanded international harmonization meeting was held to ensure inclusion of appropriate new items and their acceptability across all 6 cultures. RESULTS: The procedures described resulted in development of the 41-item Obesity and Weight Loss Quality of Life questionnaire and the 20-item Weight-Related Symptom Measure. These questionnaires are subject to further psychometric validation. CONCLUSIONS: Augmentation of the initial item-generation and international harmonization steps of questionnaire development through integration of cross-cultural input allowed greater validity of cross-cultural content while meeting time, budget, and resource constraints.

Adult↗