Payette H, PhD, Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Sherbrooke, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Sherbrooke. Kergoat M-J, MD , Geriatrician and Chief, Departement of Specialised Medicine, Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal and Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal. Shatenstein B, PhD, PDt, Department of Nutrition, Université de Montréal and Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal, Boutier V, MSc, Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Sherbrooke. Nadon S, MSc, dt.p. Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal. Correspondence: Hélène Payette, Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Sherbrooke, 840 Papineau Street, Sherbrooke (Qc), Canada, J1E 1Z2. Telephone : 819-821-3111 *246. Fax : 819-821-3506. Email : hpayette@courrier.usherb.ca

Abstract: Objective: A high prevalence of undernutrition has been observed in the elderly, particularly in cognitively impaired or demented individuals. Self-reported height and weight were tested as simple and non-invasive methods to efficiently screen individuals at risk. Design: Cross-sectional study. Participants: A subset of subjects (n=465) participating in the longitudinal follow-up phase of the Canadian Study of Health and Aging (CSHA) and comprising cognitively intact and impaired individuals as well as demented subjects. Measurements: Self-reported values of height and weight were compared to direct standard measurements using Pearson's correlation coefficients and linear regressions by cognitive status. Estimation bias was determined using paired Student t-tests. Sensivity and specificity of body mass index (BMI) derived from self-reported data were calculated. Results: Self-reported and measured weights were highly correlated (r>.90) in all three categories of cognitive status. A tendency to underestimate their weight was observed in overweight women. Correlations of recalled to measured height were excellent in normal (r=.91) and good in cognitively impaired (r=.86) and demented (r=.85) subjects. A systematic overestimation of recalled height was observed, particularly among individuals of short stature. Self-reported BMI showed excellent sensitivity (>93%) in detecting underweight individuals in all three categories. Conclusion: Self-reported height and weight data can be obtained in normal and cognitively-impaired elderly persons as well as in mild or moderate cases of dementia and can be used as a valid tool to screen for risk of undernutrition.

Key words: elderly, height, weight, nutrition, undernutrition, cognitive status, aging