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The accuracy of the Figure Rating Scale in reflecting BMI among health professionals, limited‐income adults and children ages 6–11
Author(s) -
Bagwell Rebecka,
Wong Siew Sun
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.25.1_supplement.974.13
Subject(s) - growth chart , spouse , demography , medicine , body mass index , chart , psychology , pediatrics , statistics , mathematics , pathology , sociology , anthropology
Objective To determine the accuracy of figure rating scale (FRS) in reflecting the actual BMI either self‐reported or selected by parents for their children ages 6–11. Method 50 health professionals (H) in nutrition and 35 parent‐and‐child pairs were surveyed in a 1‐time, individual, face‐to‐face interview. Demographic, monthly food expense, height, and weight data were collected. Self‐reported body size was collected using an adult FRS chart for adults, and a gender and ethnic‐specific child FRS chart for children. Correlations between self‐reported body size and actual BMI were calculated. Results Significant, positive correlations were found in HP (r=0.75), mothers (r=0.73), children (r=0.39 self‐reported vs. r=0.66 when mother selected a FRS for the child), normal BMI mothers (r=0.51), normal BMI children (r=0.66 when FRS selected by mother), obese children (r=1.0 self‐reported). HP with graduate degree(s) had the highest correlation (r=0.97) compared to HP with college degree and RD. Single mothers had higher correlation than mothers living with a spouse (r=0.98 vs. r=0.73). Conclusion Adult FRS was effective in estimating adult BMI but the child FRS was not effective in children ages 6–11. It is more accurate to measure the children's height and weight directly, or ask the mothers to report their child's body size. This study was funded by USU Extension. Grant Funding Source : USU Extension