Social desirability and self-reported weight and height

The present study examines the relationship between the desire to conform t o perceived societal norms and the misreporting of weight and height. Self- reported and measured weights and heights for 56 young, healthy non-obese v olunteers were assessed and compared to scores on the Marlowe Crowne Social Desirability Scale (MCSDS). Discrepancies between actual and self-reported weights for females were directly related to actual weight (r = 0.66, P < 0.0001). The same was not true for males (r = 0.03). Height was significant ly overreported, regardless of gender (P < 0.004). Most importantly, for fe males, MCSDS scores were significantly correlated with the discrepancy betw een actual and self-reported weights after statistically adjusting for diff erences in actual weight (r = 0.51, P < 0.0001). Results suggest that the m isreporting of weight among young, non-obese women may be directly influenc ed by the desire to conform to perceived societal norms.