Indication
DLW is the gold standard measure of total energy expenditure in free-living individuals, and provides criterion validity for physical activity tools which in combination with estimates of resting metabolism, provide estimates of total energy expenditure. DLWt is also a criterion validation for dietary assessment as reported dietary intake should equal measured total energy expenditure in weight stable subjects. The method is expensive and can only be undertaken in small numbers of subjects (less than 100). In large scale national surveys a representative subsample of subjects are typically asked to undertake DLW assessment.