Estimates of food quantity and calories: errors in self-report among obese patients.

We report three studies that examine the accuracy and usefulness of food records among dieting obese patients. In study 1 errors in quantity and calorie estimates for 10 common foods averaged 63.9% (quantity) and 53.4% (calories). The results of study 2 indicate that only 53% of entries in daily food records were specified enough to permit objective estimates of the calories consumed. In study 3, blind raters could not predict weight loss based on subjects' self-recorded behavior changes. Collectively, these results question the utility of food records for estimating energy intake or predicting weight loss.

Duke Scholars

Author Kelly D. Brownell Sanford School of Public Policy