Are people consuming the diets they say they are? Self-reported versus estimated adherence to low carbohydrate and low fat diets: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007-2018

Abstract

BackgroundMischaracterization 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. ObjectiveThis study examined participants’ self-reported adherence to low carbohydrate and low fat diets compared to their estimated adherence using up to two 24-hour recalls. DesignThis cross-sectional study acquired data on dietary intake from respondents in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2018. Participants/settingThis study included 30,219 respondents ≥20 y who had complete and reliable dietary data and were not pregnant or breastfeeding. Main outcome measuresThe main outcome was prevalence of self-reported and estimated adherence to low carbohydrate or low fat diet patterns. Statistical analyses performedSelf-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 two 24-hour recalls and usual intake methodology developed by the National Cancer Institute. ResultsOf the 1.4% of participants that reported being on 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-difference=0.014). Of the 2.0% of participants who reported being on a low fat diet, estimated adherence (<30% energy from fat) was 23.0%, whereas estimated adherence among those that did not report following a low fat diet was 17.8% (P-difference=0.048). ConclusionsThis research demonstrates that most individuals mischaracterized their diet pattern when compared to up to two 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.