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Table 7 Reliability and validity studies of obesity estimates

From: A systematic review of publications assessing reliability and validity of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 2004–2011

First author (year)

Focus of research

Research findings

Fahimi (2008)

Comparison of BRFSS, NHANES, and NHIS measures of height and weight

NHIS and BRFSS height measures differed by .14 inches

NHIS and BRFSS weight measures differed by 1.2%

BRFSS and NHANES height measures were statistically identical

BRFSS weight measures fell between measures taken by NHANES (self-reports) and NHIS

Ezzati (2006)

Weighting BRFSS self-reports of height and weight by NHANES to correct for bias/ underestimation

BRFSS underestimation from 1999–2002 averaged 5.9%, but could be corrected by weighting

Yun (2006)

Weighting BRFSS self-reports of height and weight by NHANES to correct for bias/ underestimation by race, gender and age

BRFSS underestimated prevalence of obesity and overweight groups by 9.5 and 5.7 percentage points, respectively, Estimates for femalesaged 20–39 differed from NHANES physical measures most often.