Research

Mixed

Post-hoc statistical calibration of self-reported data using biomarkers can correct for underreporting, though it often results in small effect sizes for disease outcomes.

If you are reading research on diet and disease, check if they used biomarker calibration. Uncalibrated self-report studies may show misleading inverse relationships (e.g., claiming sugar protects against diabetes).

GoodQualifiesMEDIUM confidence
Tasevska et al. (39) applied this approach to an analysis of self-reported sugar intake... correcting reported sugar intake based on the calibration eliminated what appeared to be an implausible inverse relationship... The resulting positive correlation, however, was small and did not result in a significant increase in the odds ratio for disease development
Michele Novaes Ravelli et al. · Frontiers in Nutrition · 2020

Why this rating

Based on specific cohort studies (Women's Health Initiative) showing correction of direction but weak magnitude.

Source

Traditional Self-Reported Dietary Instruments Are Prone to Inaccuracies and New Approaches Are Needed

Michele Novaes Ravelli et al. · Frontiers in Nutrition · 2020

DOI 10.3389/fnut.2020.00090

narrative_reviewCited 327×
Read the paper
DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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