Background. Critical evaluation of energy intake data from dietary studies Is difficult but important. A simple approach has been suggested using minimum cutoff limits for the ratio of energy intake to basal metabolic rate as predicted from body weight (El/BMR This study Investigates the potential of this particular approach in young subjects. Methods. Energy intake during strictly controlled dietary intervention studies (2–6 weeks or 8 months) was compared with reported Intake before the study started (7 days weighed food records). Participants were 48 men and 22 women, 20–30 years. Results. Mean El/BMRsst values during the intervention study were 1.92 for men and 1.77 for women. Reported intakes before the study were only slightly lower (women 8%, P < 0.05, men 5%, P > 0.05). Two EIIBMR limits were tested. Smaller underestimations could be detected by applying calculated cutoff limits based on average EIlBMRe values from the intervention studies instead of published limits assuming a low physical activity level (6% versus 22% underestimation of group intake). Conc1usions These results suggest that for the evaluation of energy intake of young adults it Is more meaningful to use EI/BMR cutoff limits which assume a moderate, instead of a low, average physical activity level.