title: Adults in all body mass index categories underestimate daily energy requirements.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the difference between self-reported and calculated daily energy requirements of adults within different body mass index (BMI) categories.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adults (n = 978) self-reported daily energy requirements, demographic information, and height, weight, age, and physical activity level (PAL) to calculate total energy expenditure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The main effects of BMI, gender, PAL, and dieting status on the difference between self-reported and calculated energy requirements for weight maintenance were significant (P < .05); age, race/ethnicity, level of education, and being in a health-related field had no effect. Individuals across all BMI categories underestimated their energy requirements, but obese individuals underestimated to the greatest degree. Males, current dieters, and those who reported a low-active or active PAL underestimated to the greatest extent in each category.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a lack of basic nutrition knowledge about personal energy needs in individuals across all BMI categories regardless of age, race/ethnicity, level of education, or work/training in a health-related field.
authors: Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
authors: Lauren B
authors: LB
authors: Headrick
authors: Cassie C
authors: CC
authors: Rowe
authors: Ashley R
authors: AR
authors: Kendall
authors: Michelle A
authors: MA
authors: Zitt
authors: Dawn L
authors: DL
authors: Bolton
authors: Bobbi
authors: B
authors: Langkamp-Henken
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D052756:Nutritional Sciences; D050177:Overweight; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: body mass index; diet; energy requirements; obesity; physical activity