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Accuracy of calorie estimation by females as a function of eating habits and body mass
Author(s) -
Stanton Annette L.,
Tips Tamalyn A.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/1098-108x(199007)9:4<387::aid-eat2260090404>3.0.co;2-i
Subject(s) - calorie , psychology , caloric theory , estimation , caloric intake , test (biology) , eating behavior , eating attitudes test , developmental psychology , eating disorders , clinical psychology , body weight , obesity , medicine , endocrinology , biology , paleontology , management , economics
The goal of this study was to evaluate accuracy of calorie estimation by college females (n = 165) in order to test the hypothesis that those displaying bulimic behaviors and restrained eating would evidence greater accuracy in calorie estimation. Subjects completed the Bulimia Test, the Restraint Scale, and a questionnaire in which they estimated the caloric content of various foods. Across all food groups, subjects overestimated calories by an average of 19%. Heavier females were more likely to overestimate calories. With body mass controlled, calorie estimation accuracy also varied as a function of engagement in disordered eating. In general, subjects who overestimated caloric content were more likely to acknowledge bulimic behaviors and restrained eating. Methodological, theoretical, and clinical implications of the results are discussed.