Validation of Reported Versus Measured Height and Weight among HBCU Freshmen

An abstract of a study by Brown et al investigating the bias between reported and actual height and weight measurements as body mass index and determine the relationship to obesity on an Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) college campus is presented. Results suggest that there were no statistically significant differences observed between the reported and measured height and weight amongst HBCU freshmen students in this study. Although a lack of bias was observed in this population, the proportion of those whose current body size identifies them as overweight or obese is over 60%. This is consistent with the national average. Therefore, early intervention with this young adult population is critical to reduce the epidemic of obesity in the present and for future generations.