The objective was to determine the relationship between dietary energy density (ED; kcal/g) and measured weight status in children. The present study used data from a nationally representative sample of 2442 children between 2 and 8 y old who participated in the 2001-2004 NHANES. Survey measures included 24-h dietary recall data, measurement of MyPyramid servings of various food groups, and anthropometry. The relationship among dietary ED, body weight status as calculated using the 2000 CDC growth charts, and food intake was evaluated using quartiles of ED. Additionally, other dietary characteristics associated with ED among children are described. Specific survey procedures were used in the analysis to account for sample weights, unequal selection probability, and the clustered design of the NHANES sample. In this sample, dietary ED was positively associated with body weight status in U.S. children aged 2-8 y. Obese children had a higher dietary ED than lean children (2.08 ± 0.03 vs. 1.93 ± 0.05; P = 0.02). Diets high in ED were also found to be associated with greater intakes of energy and added sugars, more energy from fat; and significantly lower intake of fruits and vegetables. Interventions that lower dietary ED by means of increasing fruit and vegetable intake and decreasing fat consumption may be an effective strategy for reducing childhood obesity.

Purpose Given the current prevalence of obesity, it is important to identify dietary factors that may aid in disease prevention. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the association between consumption of an energy-dense diet and established markers factors for chronic disease, including body weight and measures of body fatness. Methods Data from a nationally representative sample of 9,551 adults ≥18 years who participated in the 2005–2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed. The association between dietary energy density (ED, energy per weight of food, kcal/g) and markers for obesity [including body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC)], insulin insensitivity [including fasting glucose, insulin and homeostasis assessment model for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)], and markers for inflammation was examined. Results Dietary ED was positively associated with obesity in both men and women in multivariate models. Overall, obese adults had a significantly higher dietary ED than lean adults (p < 0.0001). Current smokers had significantly higher ED than non-smokers (2.00 vs. 1.75, p < 0.01), and it was determined that smoking status modified the relationship between ED and weight status in women (p interaction 0.03). In both sexes, there was a positive linear relationship between BMI and ED (p trend 0.01 and 0.0002, respectively); a linear trend between WC and ED was also observed in women (p trend<0.001) after adjusting for relevant cofactors. In women, ED was positively associated with HOMA-IR and fasting insulin; though, this relationship was not observed in men. No significant associations between ED and C-reactive protein were observed in either sex. Conclusion These findings support recent obesity and disease prevention recommendations to consume a diet low in ED.

In this sample of first-degree relatives receiving genetic susceptibility testing for AD, an APOE epsilon4+ genotype status was positively associated with dietary supplement use after risk disclosure. Such changes occurred despite the absence of evidence that supplement use reduces the risk of AD. Given the expansion of DTC genetic tests, this study highlights the need for future studies in disease risk communication.

Purpose Tea (Camellia sinensis) is a widely consumed beverage, and laboratory and some intervention studies have indicated the potential health benefits of hot tea. The present study examines the association between tea consumption (evaluating hot and iced tea independently) and markers for MetS adults in a sample of 6,472 who participated in the 2003–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination (NHANES) surveys. Methods Tea consumption was evaluated using food frequency questionnaires and 24-hour dietary recalls. Seventy percent of the sample reported any consumption of iced tea, and 16% were daily consumers; whereas approximately 56% of this sample reported hot tea consumption and 9% were daily consumers. Results Hot tea consumption was inversely associated with obesity: tea consumers had lower mean waist circumference and lower BMI (25 vs. 28 kg/m2 in men; 26 vs. 29 kg/m2 in women; both P<0.001), than non-consumers after controlling for age, physical activity, total energy intake, and other confounders. For iced tea consumption, the association was reversed: increased iced tea consumption was associated with higher BMI, greater waist circumference, and greater subcutaneous skinfold thickness after controlling for age, physical activity, energy intake, sugar intake, and other confounders. Hot tea consumption was associated with beneficial biomarkers of cardiovascular disease risk and inflammation (increased high density lipoprotein-associated cholesterol and decreased C-reactive protein in both sexes, and reduced triglycerides in women), whereas the association with iced tea consumption was again reversed. Conclusions These cross-sectional results support growing laboratory data which demonstrate the negative association of hot tea intake with markers of MetS.