Research in rodents has shown that dietary vitamin A reduces body fat by enhancing fat mobilisation and energy utilisation; however, their effects in growing dogs remain unclear. In the present study, we evaluated the development of body weight and body composition and compared observed energy intake with predicted energy intake in forty-nine puppies from two breeds (twenty-four Labrador Retriever (LAB) and twenty-five Miniature Schnauzer (MS)). A total of four different diets with increasing vitamin A content between 5.24 and 104.80 mu mol retinol (5000-100 000 IU vitamin A)/4184 kJ (1000 kcal) metabolisable energy were fed from the age of 8 weeks up to 52 (MS) and 78 weeks (LAB). The daily energy intake was recorded throughout the experimental period. The body condition score was evaluated weekly using a seven-category system, and food allowances were adjusted to maintain optimal body condition. Body composition was assessed at the age of 26 and 52 weeks for both breeds and at the age of 78 weeks for the LAB breed only using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The growth curves of the dogs followed a breed-specific pattern. However, data on energy intake showed considerable variability between the two breeds as well as when compared with predicted energy intake. In conclusion, the data show that energy intakes of puppies particularly during early growth are highly variable; however, the growth pattern and body composition of the LAB and MS breeds are not affected by the intake of vitamin A at levels up to 104.80 mu mol retinol (100 000 IU vitamin A)/4184 kJ (1000 kcal).
Dietary records are often biased, especially those of overweight individuals. The purpose of the study was to investigate underreporting among persons of normal weight with a very high energy intake (El).
The total energy expenditure (TEE) of 16 elite athletes (BMI 24 +/- 2 kg/m(2)) and 17 controls (BMI 23 3 kg/m2) was measured using the doubly-labeled water technique (DLW, 14d). El was estimated using 2 x 3-day dietary records. Underreporters were identified by BLACK'S cut-off (El:TEE < 0.76). 44% of athletes (El: 3584 824 kcal/d; TEE: 4621 1460 kcal/d) and 29% of controls (El: 2552 680 kcal/d; TEE: 3151 822 kcal/d) were identified as underreporters. TEE explains 52% of underreporting. In summary, a high energy intake seems to strongly predict underreporting. Prevalence and magnitude of underreporting increase with increasing energy intake.