Comparison of self-reported, measured, metabolizable energy intake with total energy expenditure in overweight teens.
BACKGROUND
The accuracy of dietary energy assessment tools is critical to understanding the role of diet in the increasing rate of obesity.


OBJECTIVE
The purposes of our study in overweight adolescent boys and girls were 1) to assess the energy reporting bias of diet records against the referent of total energy expenditure (TEE) and 2) to compare the methods of determining energy needs by using measured metabolizable energy intake (MEI) and TEE.


METHODS
Twenty girls [12-15 y, body mass index (in kg/m2) = 33.0 +/- 5] and 14 boys (12-14 y, body mass index = 27.4 +/- 4) participated in 2- to 3-wk metabolic balance studies. TEE was measured by using doubly labeled water (TEE(DLW)), and MEI was measured by bomb calorimetry of composite daily diet, urine, and fecal collections. Food records were collected before each study.


RESULTS
Food records underreported TEE(DLW) by 35 +/- 20%. Underreporting of energy intake was correlated with all macronutrient intake concentrations (g or kcal) (P < 0.0001). A multiple regression model showed that 86.4% of the variance in underreporting error was explained by dietary fat (g), BMI, and sex. The intrasubject CV was 3.9% for TEE(DLW) and 9.9% for MEI. MEI for weight stability (MEI(wtstb)) averaged 99 +/- 11% of TEE.


CONCLUSIONS
The increased underreporting of dietary intake with increasing body weight in teens may explain in part previous reports noting that there has been an increased incidence of obesity, although energy intakes have not appeared to increase. MEI(wtstb) and TEE(DLW) gave similar estimates of energy needs. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT 00592137.
Singh
Rajni
R
Department of Foods and Nutrition and Statistics, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2059, USA.
Martin
Berdine R
BR
Hickey
Yvonne
Y
Teegarden
Dorothy
D
Campbell
Wayne W
WW
Craig
Bruce A
BA
Schoeller
Dale A
DA
Kerr
Deborah Anne
DA
Weaver
Connie M
CM
D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D004032:Diet; D015930:Diet Records; D002149:Energy Intake; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism; D050177:Overweight / Q000378:metabolism*; D012650:Self Disclosure