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Self-Reported and Measured BMI in Ireland: Should We Adjust the Obesity Thresholds?

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  • Madden, D.

Abstract

Using the nationally representative Slan dataset of 2007 we analyse the relationship between self-reported and measured BMI. We find that selfreported BMI significantly underestimates obesity rates and suggest that the traditional threshold of 30 should be adjusted downwards. We outline a number of approaches to choose the optimal threshold and results suggest that the new obesity threshold for self-reported BMI could be as low as 26.

Suggested Citation

  • Madden, D., 2013. "Self-Reported and Measured BMI in Ireland: Should We Adjust the Obesity Thresholds?," Health, Econometrics and Data Group (HEDG) Working Papers 13/04, HEDG, c/o Department of Economics, University of York.
    • Handle: RePEc:yor:hectdg:13/04
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Burkhauser, Richard V. & Cawley, John, 2008. "Beyond BMI: The value of more accurate measures of fatness and obesity in social science research," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 27(2), pages 519-529, March.
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    1. Could obesity rates be even worse than expected?
      by Economic Logician in Economic Logic on 2013-03-19 19:42:00

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    1. Alan Fernihough & Mark E. McGovern, "undated". "Physical Stature Decline and the Health Status of the Elderly Population in England," PGDA Working Papers 11214, Program on the Global Demography of Aging.

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