Characteristics of misreporters of dietary intake and physical activity.
OBJECTIVE
To characterise misreporters of energy intake (EI) and energy expenditure (EE).


METHODS
Cross-sectional study, using a validated position and motion instrument, ActiReg, as the reference method to study misreporters of EI and of EE. EI was measured using a dietary record and EE using a physical activity questionnaire (PAQ). Misreporters were defined as subjects outside the 95% confidence limits of agreement between EI or EE reported/EE measured.


METHODS
Free-living Danish volunteers.


METHODS
One hundred and thirty-eight volunteers aged between 20 and 59 years.


RESULTS
Body mass index, smoking, 'try to eat healthily' and worries about weight were related to degree of under-reported EI. The percentage energy from added sugar was lowest (P < 0.001) and the percentage energy from protein (P < 0.001) highest in under-reporters compared with acceptable reporters. Subjects who reported being very physically active at work or in leisure time reported a higher EE than measured EE compared with less physically active subjects (P < 0.05). Likewise, subjects who regard themselves as fit or very fit reported a higher EE than subjects who regard themselves as moderately fit (P < 0.05). Possible over-reporters reported less time as very light activity (P = 0.007), more time as moderate activity (P = 0.01) and more time as vigorous activity (P = 0.02) than acceptable reporters.


CONCLUSIONS
Under-reporting of EI should always be taken into consideration; however, only a few characteristics of under-reporters are consistent among studies. Misreporting of EI was more prevalent than misreporting of EE. The level of physical activity more than the time spent involved in various activities was misreported.
Rasmussen
Lone Banke
LB
Department of Nutrition, Danish Institute for Food and Veterinary Research, Mørkhøj Bygade 19, DK-2860 Søborg, Denmark. lbra@dfvf.dk
Matthiessen
Jeppe
J
Biltoft-Jensen
Anja
A
Tetens
Inge
I
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000523:psychology; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology*; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012907:Smoking; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors