Printed In Great Britain Detection of Underestimated Energy Intake in Young Adults

Background Critical evaluation of energy intake data from dietary studies is difficult but important A simple approach has been suggested using minimum cutoff limits for the ratio of energy intake to basal metabolic rate as predicted from body weight (EI/BMR«t)- This study investigates the potential of this particular approach in young subjects. Methods. Energy intake during strictly controlled dietary intervention studies (2-6 weeks or 8 months) was compared with reported intake before the study started (7 days ' weighed food records). Participants were 48 men and 22 women, 20-30 years. Results. Mean EI/BMRest values during the intervention study were 1.92 for men and 1.77 for women. Reported intakes before the study were only slightly lower (women 8%, P< 0.05, men 5%, P> 0.05). Two EI/BMR»»t. limits were tested. Smaller underestimations could be detected by applying calculated cutoff limits based on average EI/BMFUSL values from the intervention studies instead of published limits assuming a low physical activity level (6 % versus 22% underestimation of group intake). Conclusions. These results suggest that for the evaluation of energy intake of young adults it is more meaningful to use EI/BMRi»t cutoff limits which assume a moderate, instead of a low, average physical activity level. The need for critical evaluation of energy intake data obtained in dietary studies has been clearly demonstrate