title: Comparison of calculated estimates and laboratory analysis of food offered to hospitalized eating disorder patients.
abstract: Estimation of caloric intake is an integral part of a comprehensive research/treatment program for patients with eating disorders at the National Institute of Mental Health. Caloric intakes are estimated by recording daily food intake and calculating calories using food exchange lists and food composition tables. To evaluate the validity of that method, caloric intake estimates were compared with laboratory analysis data over a 15-day period. The estimations for daily caloric intake in comparison with the laboratory analysis data were underestimated by a mean percent difference of 2.4%. The estimated carbohydrate and fat intakes were overestimated by 4.5% and 5.4%, respectively. The estimated protein intake was underestimated by 1.1%. The data suggest that estimates of caloric intake based on food exchange lists and food composition tables are within an acceptable range of error and, therefore, represent a practical approach to estimating caloric intake for patients hospitalized with an eating disorder.
mesh_terms: D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000178:diet therapy*; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002149:Energy Intake; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004044:Dietary Proteins