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Arch Dis Child 2005;90:941-942 doi:10.1136/adc.2005.073007
  • Community child health, public health, and epidemiology

Measured versus reported parental height

  1. F Cizmecioglu1,
  2. A Doherty2,
  3. W F Paterson3,
  4. D Young4,
  5. M D C Donaldson3
  1. 1Kocaeli University, Paediatric Endocrinology & Diabetes Department, Turkey
  2. 2Outpatient Department, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow, UK
  3. 3Department of Child Health, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow, UK
  4. 4Research and Development Office, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow, UK
  1. Correspondence to:
    MsW Paterson
    Department of Child Health, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Yorkhill, Glasgow G3 8SJ, UK; gcl354clinmed.gla.ac.uk
  • Accepted 1 May 2005

Abstract

Background: Parental height data are essential in the assessment of linear growth in children. A number of studies have documented inaccuracy in self-reported adult height.

Aims: To determine whether there is a tendency for men to overestimate and women to underestimate their height.

Methods: Heights of parents of children attending outpatient clinics were measured (MHt) and compared with reported heights (RHt).

Results: Two hundred parents (100 males; 100 females), mean (range) age 37.8 (20.8–69.3) years, were measured. Males overestimated height, with mean (SD) RHt–MHt 1.09 (1.96) cm, while females reported height relatively accurately, with RHt–MHt −0.09 (2.37) cm.

Conclusions: The hypothesis that males overestimate height is confirmed. While the hypothesis that women underestimate is not supported, we recommend accurate measurement of both parents, given the considerable degree of individual variation in RHt−MHt for both sexes.

Footnotes

  • Competing interests: none declared

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