Macro partitioning
Obese individuals exhibit a specific, differential pattern of dietary underreporting where total energy intake is underreported significantly more than protein intake, leading to an overestimation of the proportion of energy derived from protein.
If you are obese, your self-reported diet likely underestimates your total calorie intake more than your protein intake. This means your calculated 'protein percentage' of total calories is likely artificially high. To get an accurate picture of your macronutrient balance, rely on biomarkers or objective measures rather than just your memory of what you ate, as you likely omit high-carb/fat snacks while remembering protein sources.
Degree of obesity was positively associated with underreporting of total energy and protein, whereas compared with total energy reported, protein was overreported by the obese subjects.
Why this rating
The study uses robust biomarkers (24h urinary nitrogen and doubly labeled water proxy via activity levels) to validate self-reported data, minimizing the primary bias it studies.
Source
Dietary underreporting by obese individuals--is it specific or non-specific?
Berit L. Heitmann et al. · BMJ · 1995
This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →