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Objective:To examine characteristics of craved foods in relation to dietary energy restriction (ER) with high (HG) and low glycemic load (LG) diets.Design:Assessments of food cravings before and during a randomized controlled trial of HG and LG diets provided for 6 months.Subjects:Thirty-two healthy, overweight women aged 20–42 years.Measurements:Self-reported food cravings and dietary intake, body weight, weight history and measures of eating behaviors.Results:Foods craved at baseline were more than twice as high in energy density as the habitual diet (3.7±1.5 vs 1.7±0.3 kcal/g; P<0.001), and on average were lower in protein (P<0.001) and fiber (P<0.001) and higher in fat (P=0.002). There were no statistically significant changes in nutritional characteristics of craved foods after 6 months of ER. There was a significant relationship between reported portion size of craved food consumed at baseline and lifetime high body mass index (r=0.49, P=0.005). Additionally, there was a significant association between susceptibility to hunger and craving frequency at baseline, and there were significant relationships between hunger score, craving frequency, strength and percentage of time that cravings are given in to after 6 months of ER. In multiple regression models, subjects who lost a greater percentage of weight craved higher energy-dense foods at month 6 of ER, but also reported giving in to food cravings less frequently (adjusted R 2=0.31, P=0.009).Conclusion:High energy density and fat content, and low protein and fiber contents were identifying characteristics of craved foods. The relationships between craving variables and hunger score suggest that the relative influence of hunger susceptibility on cravings may be important before and especially after ER. Portion size of craved foods and frequency of giving in to food cravings appear to be important areas for focus in lifestyle modification programs for long-term weight loss.International Journal of Obesity (2007) 31, 1849–1858; doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0803672; published online 26 June 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare relative associations of eating patterns and dietary composition with body mass index (BMI) in younger (aged 20-59 years, n=1792) and older (aged 60-90 years, n=893) participants in the Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals, collected 1994-1996.Methods: Data from two 24-h dietary recalls from individuals reporting physiologically plausible energy intake (within +/-22% of predicted energy requirements, based on previously published methods) were used.Results: Mean reported energy intake was 96 and 95% of predicted energy requirements in younger and older subjects, respectively. Older subjects were less likely than younger subjects to skip a meal, but snacking was common in both age groups. Fiber density was significantly higher in the older group. A higher BMI in both age groups was associated with a higher total daily energy intake, and higher energy intakes at all eating occasions. In both age groups, eating frequency was positively associated with energy intake, and eating more than three times a day was associated with being overweight or obese. In the younger group but not the older group, a lower fiber density coupled with higher percentage of energy from fat was independently associated with having a higher BMI.Conclusions: While no one eating occasion contributes more than any other to excess adiposity, eating more often than three times a day may play a role in overweight and obesity in both younger and older persons. A reduced satiety response to dietary fiber in addition to lower energy expenditure may potentially further contribute to weight gain in older persons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the relationship of positive energy balance to excessive energy intake and reduced energy expenditure. Association between low energy expenditure and subsequent weight gain; Explanation of weight gain through energy intake or low energy expenditure, or a combination of both, based on the first law of thermodynamics; Probable occurrence of obesity through imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure.