Summary
This modelling study addresses the uncertainty in global estimates of energy intake and requirements by developing a new anthropometric-based proxy for energy intake paired with predictive equations from doubly labelled water studies. The research quantifies energy imbalances across 192 countries at global, regional, national and sociodemographic levels, finding that 97% of countries have average intakes exceeding the energy requirements needed to sustain healthy body weights. The findings suggest that existing estimates of energy intake are poorly aligned with observed trends in body weight and malnutrition, with implications for dietary analysis and nutritional epidemiology.
UK applicability
The United Kingdom, as a high-income country, would likely fall within the upper range of energy intake estimates (approximately 2360 kcal/day). These findings are relevant to UK public health nutrition assessment and policy, particularly for understanding population-level energy imbalances and their relationship to overweight and obesity trends.
Key measures
Energy intake (kcal/day), energy requirements (kcal/day), energy imbalance (kcal/day), body weight, height, body mass index, physical activity levels
Outcomes reported
The study estimated energy intake, energy requirements for healthy body weights, and energy imbalances at global, regional, national and sociodemographic levels based on anthropometric measures and physical activity data. Results showed average global energy requirements of 2160 kcal/day in 2020 and that estimated intake exceeded requirements for healthy body weights by 80 kcal/day on average.
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