Britons Under-Report Calorie Intake by 50%

A new study suggests that most Britons are under estimating their daily calorie intake and under reporting the true total potentially misleading policy makers attempting to curb the obesity crisis. 

The research gathered by the Behavioural Insights Team (BIT) looked at scientific data showing most of the people reporting their daily calorie intake as 2000 calories had actually consumed 3000 calories. 

Many of the official nutrition surveys and studies in recent years suggested the amount of food people consume had gone down in recent decades whilst the obesity rates have continued to rise.  The BIT independently analysed the previous studies including chemical analysis of how much energy people burn and concluded that most of the individuals were consuming a 1000 calories a day more than the studies had suggested. 

Note:  The Behavioural Insights Team is independent, part government and part charity funded.