Dietary assessments: how to validate primary data before conclusions can be drawn

Dietary assessment methods result almost without exception in an underestimation of energy intake. Energy turnover should consequently be evaluated on the basis of studies of energy expenditure and only with exceptions on determinations of energy intake. An objective and reliable reference to validate whether obtained data from dietary assessment may be realistic or represent an underevaluation can be based on a comparison between the observed or registered energy intake and the theoretical calculations of energy turnover based on calculated BMR with the addition of a relevant PAL factor, which is based on the lifestyle including physical activity. It is not scientifically relevant to draw any conclusions regarding the relationship between the dietary intake of various nutrients and health in a long-term perspective if energy needs are not met by dietary intake according to this assessment, nota hene if body weight is maintained.