Energy under-reporting in adults with mood disorders: prevalence and associated factors

Little is known about relationships of energy under-reporting in mental health populations. Using data from a sample of individuals with mood disorders (n = 97), demographic, food intake and body-related, psychological, lifestyle, and condition-specific factors were examined in relationship to energy under-reporting. More than two-thirds (70%) were considered under-reporters based on Goldberg's classifications. Differences were found between energy under-reporters and accurate reporters for diet quality, sex, body mass index (BMI), weight change after taking psychiatric medications, and for those taking mood stabilizers (all p's < 0.05). Regression analyses indicated there was lower prevalence of under-reporting as diet quality improved, if individuals experienced weight change after taking psychiatric medication, or were females (p < 0.05). The prevalence of under-reporting was more than 1.3 times in those taking mood stabilizers versus those not taking this psychiatric medication [Prevalence ratio (PR) = 1.30, 95% CI 1.01-1.66, p < 0.05]. Further research of under-reporting in mental health populations will enable targeted approaches to improve accuracy of diet reporting and inferences made about nutrition and mental health.