Dietary energy density and its association with the nutritional quality of the diet of children and teenagers

Abstract

To examine the relationship between dietary energy density (DED) and the nutritional quality of the diet, using data from the Irish National Children's Food Survey (NCFS) and the National Teens' Food Survey (NTFS), two cross-sectional studies of food consumption were carried out between 2003 and 2006. Data from the NCFS and NTFS were used to examine the intakes of nutrients and foods among those with low- (NCFS <7·56, NTFS <7·65 kJ/g), medium- (NCFS 7·56–8·75, NTFS 7·66–8·85 kJ/g) and high-energy-dense diets (NCFS >8·75, NTFS >8·85 kJ/g). A 7-d food diary was used to collect food intake data from children (n 594) and teenagers (n 441). DED (kJ/g) was calculated including food alone and excluding beverages. Participants with lower DED consumed more food (weight) but not more energy. They also consumed less fat and added sugars and more protein, carbohydrates, starch and dietary fibre and had higher intakes of micronutrients. Participants with lower DED had food intake patterns that adhered more closely to food-based dietary guidelines. Low DED was associated with multiple individual indicators of a better nutritional quality of the diet, including higher intakes of dietary fibre and micronutrients and a generally better balance of macronutrients, as well as being associated with food intake patterns that were closer to healthy eating guidelines. Taken together, these findings support the conclusion that a low DED may be an indicator of a better nutritional quality of the diet.

Water intakes and dietary sources of a nationally representative sample of Irish adults

“…The water content of food is one of the major determinants of dietary energy density. Dietary energy density has been positively associated with obesity (Mendoza et al ., ), diabetes (Wang et al ., ) and inversely associated with dietary quality (Patterson et al ., ; O'Connor et al ., ). Promoting an increased intake of foods with high water content to achieve adequate intakes of water is in keeping with current public health guidelines on reducing the consumption of energy dense foods.…”

Associations between energy density of meals and snacks and overall diet quality and adiposity measures in British children and adolescents: the National Diet and Nutrition Survey

“…Thus, investigation of dietary behaviours that contribute to healthier dietary intakes in children and adolescents is a high public health priority. In this regard, dietary energy density (ED) has received increased attention, because there is evidence that diets high in ED are associated with increased body weight (5)(6)(7)(8) as well as lower diet quality (8)(9)(10) in young populations. Given that people consume combinations of foods as meals and snacks, understanding how ED of meals and ED of snacks, rather than ED of the total diet, are associated with overall diet quality and health status (such as adiposity measures) would be helpful for, for example, the development of science-based recommendations of meals and snacks for children and adolescents (11) .…”

Diet, lifestyle and body weight in Irish children: findings from Irish Universities Nutrition Alliance national surveys

“…Furthermore, for 5-12-and 13-17-year olds for which (29,30) . %E, % energy; %TE, % total energy; * P<0.05, significantly different nutrient intakes between DED categories.…”

“…Higher intakes of both fruit and vegetables were associated with lower energy density diets in Irish children (29,30) . Furthermore, for 5-12-and 13-17-year olds for which (29,30) .…”

“…For school-aged children and teenagers, MDI of DF was 1·8 and 1·9 g/MJ, respectively, with 72 % of 5-12-year olds and 66 % of 13-17-year olds having intakes of dietary fibre <2 g/MJ (Table 4). Mean DF intakes for (29,30) .…”