Accuracy of energy intake reporting: comparison of energy intake and resting metabolic rate and their relation to anthropo-metric and sociodemographic factors among Iranian women

ABSTRACT

This study assesses the accuracy of energy intake [El] reporting and its relation to anthropometric characteristics and sociodemographic factors. In addition, we attempt to identify foods for which under- or over-reporting is more prevalent. El was assessed for 187 women using a semi-quantitative 168-item food frequency questionnaire [FFQ]. Resting metabolic ate [RMR] was measured with an indirect calorimeter. We calculated the EI/RMR ratio to assess the accuracy of El reporting. This study defined under-reporters as those with an El/RMR of /= 2.4. We measured anthropometric characteristics and collected sociodemographic information. The chi-square test, ANOVA and multiple linear regressions were used or statistical analyses. Among participants, the under-reporting rate was 35.5% and the over-reporting rate was 7.5%. The El/RMR ratio was significantly higher for younger women compared to older women [P < 0.04]. Under-reporters had higher weight, waist circumference [WC], body mass index [BMI] and resting metabolism compared to accurate reporters [P < 0.05]. Resting metabolism was significantly lower among over-reporters than accurate reporters. After adjusting for energy, the consumption of fish, high-fat dairy products, hydrogenated oil, sweets and coffee was lower, whereas consumption of unsaturated oils, tea, salt and yellow vegetables was higher among under-reporters compared to accurate reporters. Under-reporting of El is more frequent than over-reporting among Iranian women. Among various factors that may affect the accuracy of El reporting, age and anthropometric characteristics might have a significant effect