This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
Briton’s understate calorie intake, study finds
According to research from the Behavioural Insights Team (BIT), people in the UK are under-reporting their daily calorie consumption, which could risk misleading policymakers attempting to curb obesity.
The study outlined scientific and economic data showing people consume 3,000 calories, rather than 2,000 calories, which is cited in official surveys. The statistics conflict with data that suggests people are eating less and could partially explain rising obesity levels.
The report cited national spending figures which suggested people were buying more food than we report in surveys. BIT suggested a number of reasons for inaccurate calorie reporting, including snacks having obscure calorie figures, a desire lose weight prompting them to be less honest and fewer people taking part in the surveys.
Lead researcher Michael Hallsworth, director of health at the BIT, said: "Anyone who has been on a treadmill will know what it feels like to look down and see you have burned far fewer calories than you expected.
"Physical activity is good for your health and heart but reducing calories is a more effective strategy to combat obesity."
Prof Alan Maryon-Davis, public health expert, commented: “This will send a shudder through the junk-food industry. Up until now they've been able to point to what was thought to be a decline in the nation's calorie intake and say there's really no need for tougher measures like a sugar tax, fat tax or calorie-labelling on alcoholic drinks. But this latest analysis rather pulls the rug from under their feet."
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