Energy density of foods, but not beverages, is positively associated with body mass index in adult women

Abstract

Background/Objectives Energy density (kJ/g) may have a strong influence on energy balance. Although beverages are a considerable source of energy in the US diet, rarely have studies among free-living populations investigated the energy density of foods (EDF) and the energy density of beverages (EDB) simultaneously. We examined the independent simultaneous associations of EDF and EDB on energy intake and Body Mass Index (BMI) in adult women. Subjects/Methods This cross-sectional design focused on 348 elementary school employees randomly selected at baseline of a worksite wellness trial in southeastern Louisiana. Two 24-hour recalls were collected, and measured heights and weights were converted into BMI (kg/m2). Results Those in the highest EDF tertile consumed more energy and had higher BMIs than those in the lowest tertile (P<0.05). Employees in the highest EDB tertile consumed more energy than those in the lowest, yet there was no difference in BMIs between the two groups. Multivariate regression, with controls for demographic and health variables, confirmed the positive association between EDF and BMI; a 1 kJ/g increase in EDF was associated with a 0.39 kg/m2 increase in BMI (P=0.038). Models that did not control for EDB gave estimates of EDF that were 8% to 10% lower. Conclusions These findings suggest that EDF and EDB play important, yet distinct, roles in energy intake and BMI. Future studies should evaluate both types of energy density as independent predictors since our results suggest that EDB can confound the association of EDF with BMI.

Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Physical Activity Behavior Among Elementary School Personnel: Baseline Results from the ACTION! Worksite Wellness Program*

“…We have previously reported that obese individuals in this sample consumed more kilocalories and energy from fat that those who were normal weight and that only 7% of the sample met the My Pyramid recommendations for fruits and vegetables 25 . Further, we showed that the individuals in the highest tertile for energy density of food consumed had higher BMI that those in the lowest tertile 26 . Some 2.2 of the meals and snacks per day were eaten at school and this accounts for 37% of the daily energy 27 .…”

Choosing the best method to estimate the energy density of a population using food purchase data

“…This meant that it was not possible to use exactly the same method as previously published studies (e.g. classifying liquids consumed as foods or added to foods such as smoothies and milk on cereal) as part of food categories (Hartline‐Grafton et al ., ). Further to reviewing the literature and examining the EFS/LCF data, it was considered feasible to use HH and eating out purchases of foods and drinks to calculate ED using five different methods (Table ) after appropriate adjustment for waste and weight increase or loss as a result of cooking or dilution.…”

“…Hartline‐Grafton et al . () reported that ED from food was related to BMI. However, their definition of food included liquids consumed as foods (e.g.…”

Glycemic index differences of high-fat diets modulate primarily lipid metabolism in murine adipose tissue

“…47) or confounding factors (20). The rodent studies have been performed using low-fat (ϳ10% kcal fat) diets, which are healthier than diets with a high-fat (HF) content (11). In contrast to low-fat diets, HF diets induce obesity and insulin resistance in mouse strains sensitive to development of dietinduced obesity, such as C57BL/6J (9).Therefore, we previously studied the effects of differences in GI (LGI vs. HGI) in the context of an HF (30% kcal fat) diet, rather than a low-fat diet, in obesity-prone C57BL/6J adult male mice (43).…”