Intentional mis-reporting of food consumption and its relationship with body mass index and psychological scores in women.
BACKGROUND
The reasons for mis-reporting food consumption warrant investigation.


OBJECTIVE
To document intention to mis-report food consumption and its associations with psychological measures in women.


METHODS
A total of 184 female volunteers aged 18-65 years, comprising 50 seeking help in primary care to lose weight with a body mass index (BMI) >/=30 kg m(-2) (obese-clinical group) and 134 nurses (nonclinical groups) (BMI <25 kg m(-2), n = 52; BMI 25-29.9 kg m(-2), n = 45; BMI >/=30 kg m(-2), n = 37) were studied. A questionnaire was administered containing three psychological tests (self-esteem, psychological well-being and Stunkard's three-factor eating questionnaire) and new items to address food intake mis-reporting.


RESULTS
Overall, 68% of participants declared an inclination to mis-report (64% nonclinical, 78% clinical). Inclination to under-report was 29, 33 and 51% in the three nonclinical groups; and 46% among the obese clinical patients. Among the same groups, inclination to over-report were 39, 29, 11 and 32%. After adjusting for social deprivation and BMI, women inclined to mis-report had higher hunger (P = 0.008) and disinhibition (P = 0.005) scores than those intending to report accurately. These variables were associated with current dieting, frequency of dieting, self-reported bingeing and dissatisfaction with body weight.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate that intentional under-reporting and over-reporting of food consumption are common in women of all BMI categories and are associated with eating behaviour. Current dieting, frequency of dieting in the past, self-reported bingeing and dissatisfaction with body weight seem to mediate this relationship.
Lara
J J
JJ
Department of Human Nutrition, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
Scott
J A
JA
Lean
M E J
ME
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004034:Diet Surveys; D004435:Eating / Q000523:psychology*; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept; D012650:Self Disclosure; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires