Systematic Errors in Middle-Aged Women's Estimates of Energy Intake: Comparing Three Self-Report Measures to Total Energy Expenditure from Doubly Labeled Water

PURPOSE: To evaluate energy intake (EI) derived from a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), seven-day dietary recall (7DDR), and seven 24-hour dietary recall interviews (24HR) for reporting errors associated with social desirability and social approval. METHODS: The FFQ and 7DDR were administered once before and once after a 14-day metabolic period during which total energy expenditure was determined using the doubly labeled water method (TEE dlw). Seven 24HR were conducted over the 14-day period. Data obtained from 80 healthy women (mean age = 49.1 years) were fit to linear regression models in which the EI estimates were the dependent variables and estimates of social desirability and social approval traits, body mass index [weight (kg)/ height (m) 2], and TEE dlw were fit as independent variables. RESULTS: indicated that in college-educated women there was an underestimate associated with social desirability on the FFQ (-42.24 kcal/day/point on the social desirability scale; 95% CI:–75.48, -9.00). For college-educated women with an average social desirability score (∼17 points) this would equal an underestimate of 507 kcal/day compared to women with the minimum score (4 points). The 7DDR was associated with a differential effect of social approval when comparing by education; i.e., there was a difference of 36.35 kcal/day/point between the two groups (-14.69 in women with ≥college and 21.66 in women with