%0 Journal Article
%T Are People Consuming the Diets They Say They Are? Self-Reported vs Estimated Adherence to Low-Carbohydrate and Low-Fat Diets: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007-2018.
%A Kowalski C
%A Dustin D
%A Ilayan A
%A Johnson LK
%A Belury MA
%A Conrad Z
%J J Acad Nutr Diet
%V 0
%N 0
%D 2024 Jul 11
%M 39002857
%F 5.234
%R 10.1016/j.jand.2024.07.006
%X BACKGROUND: Mischaracterization of dietary intake by patients and study participants is a common problem that presents challenges to clinical and public health approaches to improve diet quality, identify healthy eating patterns, and reduce the risk of chronic disease.
OBJECTIVE: This study examined participants' self-reported adherence to low-carbohydrate and low-fat diets compared with their estimated adherence using up to 2 24-hour recalls.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study acquired data on dietary intake from respondents in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007-2018.
METHODS: This study included 30 219 respondents aged 20 years and older who had complete and reliable dietary data and were not pregnant or breastfeeding.
METHODS: The main outcome was prevalence of self-reported and estimated adherence to low-carbohydrate or low-fat diet patterns.
METHODS: Self-reported adherence to low-carbohydrate or low-fat diets was evaluated using responses to questionnaires. Estimated adherence to these diets was assessed using data from up to 2 24-hour recalls and usual intake methodology developed by the National Cancer Institute.
RESULTS: Of the 1.4% of participants who reported following a low-carbohydrate diet, estimated adherence (<26% energy from carbohydrates) using 24-hour recalls was 4.1%, whereas estimated adherence among those that did not report following a low-carbohydrate diet was <1% (P value for difference = .014). Of the 2.0% of participants who reported following a low-fat diet, estimated adherence (<30% energy from fat) was 23.0%, whereas estimated adherence among those who did not report following a low-fat diet was 17.8% (P value for difference = .048).
CONCLUSIONS: This research demonstrates that most individuals mischaracterized their diet pattern when compared with up to 2 24-hour recalls. These findings emphasize the need for clinicians and public health professionals to be cautious when interpreting individuals' self-reported diet patterns, and should aim to collect more detailed dietary data when possible.