Energy balance, a new paradigm and methodological issues: the ANIBES study in Spain

Energy Balance (EB) is an important topic to understand how an imbalance in its main determinants (energy intake and consumption) may lead to inappropriate weight gain, considered to be "dynamic"and not "static". There are no studies to evaluate EB in Spain and new technologies reveal as key tools to solve the common problems to precisely quantify energy consumption and expenditure at population level. Within this context, the increasing complexity of the diet, but also the common problems of under and over reporting in nutrition surveys have to be taken into account. The overall purpose of the ANIBES ("Anthropometry, Intake and Energy Balance in Spain") Study was to carry out an accurate updating of foods and beverages intake, dietary habits/ behaviour and anthropometric data of the Spanish population as well as the energy expenditure and physical activity patterns, by the use of new tested instruments (i.e. tablet device to assess energy intake and accelerometer to evaluate physical activity). This new ANIBES Study will contribute to a better knowledge of the different key factors contributing to EB in Spain.