The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #73755

Lisa J. Harnack, DrPH, Lyn M. Steffen, PhD, MPH, Donna K. Arnett, PhD, and Russell V. Luepker, MD. Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, 1300 South Second Street, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55454, 612-626-9398, harnack@epi.umn.edu

Underreporting of energy intake is a well-documented shortcoming of the 24-hour dietary recall methodology. It has been hypothesized that this error in dietary intake reporting may, in part, be attributable to difficulty in estimating food portions consumed. More specifically, it has been speculated that individuals may systematically underreport larger food portions. Hence, the objective of this study was to assess the validity of reporting of large sized food portions. To evaluate this objective, 49 adults were invited to eat a restaurant meal that included a hamburger patty on a bun, French fries, and ice cream. Trained observers measured the amount of food served and the amount remaining on participants’ plates, thus providing a criterion measure of food consumed by each study participant. Immediately following the meal, in an order dictated by a randomized crossover design, each participant was asked to estimate the amount of the foods they consumed using customary (56 g hamburger patty; 60 g French fries; 120 ml ice cream) and larger sized (112 g hamburger patty; 90 g French fries; 240 ml ice cream) three dimensional food models as a guide. When the customary food models were used as a guide, underreporting of food portions was evident for all three foods. For example, the amount of hamburger patty consumed by participants was, on average, 112 grams. In contrast, the average amount reported by participants was 85 grams (p < 0.05). When the larger sized food models were used as a guide, the amount reported more closely matched the amount consumed, however, significant underreporting of the portion consumed persisted for the hamburger patty and French fries. In conclusion, findings from this study support the notion that adults may systematically underreport large food portions

Learning Objectives:

The participant will:
• Explain the effect that expanding food portions may have on the validity of dietary intake assessment.
• Discuss the limitations of using three dimensional food models for the assessment of food portions.
• Identify two potential strategies for improving estimations of large food portions.

Keywords: Nutrition, Dietary Assessment

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.