When people eat a meal with less protein than usual, they tend to eat more total calories that day — and this pattern holds up even when accounting for other factors.
Scientific Claim
In adults on a long-term high-protein ad-libitum diet, the percentage of protein consumed during a self-selected meal is inversely associated with same-day total caloric intake, with an r² of 0.22 (P = 0.03), indicating that lower protein meals predict higher calorie consumption.
Original Statement
“On the SSM day, percent protein intake was inversely associated mean daily caloric intake (r2 = 0.22, P = 0.03).”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
overstated
Study Design Support
Design supports claim
Appropriate Language Strength
association
Can only show association/correlation
Assessment Explanation
The authors imply a direct relationship, but correlation does not imply causation. The r² value indicates only moderate predictive power, and confounding variables are uncontrolled.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
When people ate a meal with less protein than usual, they ended up eating more calories that day — and the study found this pattern clearly, just like the claim says.