Energy intake misreport: how different methods affect its prevalence and nutrient intake estimates

Abstract

Background

Although different methods for the evaluation of energy intake (EI) misreport have been described, it is unclear which one is the most appropriate.

Aim

To assess the performance of these methods in the prevalence of EI misreports and accuracy of nutrient intake estimates.

Methods

Reports of 3,639 adults from the Portuguese National Food, Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey 2015–2016 were classified using univariate (Willett; interquartile range) and multivariate (Goldberg; predicted total energy expenditure [pTEE], testing different standard deviations [SD]) methods. Self-reported intakes were compared to their respective estimates by urinary excretion in a sub-sample of 80. The effect of the exclusion of misreporters on nutrient estimates was assessed by the differences in linear regression coefficients between plausible and total sample.

Results

The highest prevalence of EI misreport was observed using pTEE 1SD (63.9%). Differences in the associations between nutrient self-reported intake and estimated intake using urinary biomarkers were verified with misreporters’ exclusion by pTEE 1SD method (β-protein = 0.209; 95% CI = 0.074–0.529; β-potassium = 0.276; 95% CI = 0.060–0.560) and Goldberg 2SD (β-protein = 0.080; 95% CI = 0.025–0.235; β-potassium = 0.106; 95% CI = −0.048–0.246).

Conclusions

Multivariate methods lead to a higher prevalence of misreports and larger differences in nutrient estimates. The application of the pTEE 1SD and Goldberg 2SD methods resulted in more accurate nutrient estimates.

Keywords:

• Misreport
• national dietary survey
• energy intake
• urinary biomarkers
• Portugal

Acknowledgements

The researchers acknowledge the IAN-AF Consortium and all institutions and persons involved in all phases of the Survey, as well as participants. IAN-AF 2015–2016 had the institutional support of the General Directorate for Health, the Central Administration of the Health System, the Regional Health Administrations, the Regional Health Secretariats of the Azores and Madeira and the European Food Safety Authority.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The IAN-AF 2015-2016 has received funding from the EEA Grants Programme, Public Health Initiatives (PT06 –000088SI3).