alt Hacker NewsWhy would that be a problem for reporting relative results if everyone is under-reporting things they're embarrassed about and over-reporting the opposite?
Why would that be a problem for reporting relative results if everyone is under-reporting things they're embarrassed about and over-reporting the opposite?
Different people are embarrassed by different things. A frat student's probably going to overstate their alcohol consumption, a Morman understate.
People with bigger appetites underestimate their food consumption, people with smaller appetites overstate.
Not to mention the degree of over/under statement will vary wildly. "A big meal" might be 300 calories for somebody with an eating disorder, or 3000+ for somebody on the opposite end of the spectrum.