Characteristics of Under- and Over-reporters of Energy Intake Among Young Japanese Women

Evidence on factors associated with misreporting of energy intake is limited, particularly in non-Western populations. We examined the characteristics of under- and over-reporters of energy intake in young Japanese women. Subjects were 3,956 female Japanese dietetic students aged 18-20 y (mean body mass index: 20.9 kg/m(2)). Energy intake was assessed using a comprehensive self-administered diet history questionnaire. Estimated energy requirement was calculated based on self-reported information on age, body height and weight, and physical activity with the use of an equation from the US Dietary Reference Intakes. Under-, acceptable, and over-reporters of energy intake were identified based on the ratio of energy intake to estimated energy requirement, according to whether the individual's ratio was below, within, or above the 95% confidence limits of the expected ratio of 1.0 (<0.70, 0.70-1.30, and >1.30, respectively). Risk of being an under- or over-reporter of energy intake compared to an acceptable reporter was analyzed using multiple logistic regression. The percentage of under-, acceptable, and over-reporters of energy intake was 18.4, 73.1, and 8.4%, respectively. Under-reporting was associated with overweight or obesity, perception that one's own weight was too heavy or light, lower dietary consciousness, active lifestyle, living without family, and living in a city (compared with a metropolitan area). Over-reporting was associated with sedentary lifestyle only. This study of lean young Japanese women showed that energy intake misreporting, particularly under-reporting, was common and differential among populations. Particularly, perceived weight status was associated with under-reporting of energy intake, independent of actual weight status.