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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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary energy density [kcal/g (kJ/g)] influences energy intake under controlled laboratory conditions. Little is known about the energy density of the diets of free-living persons. Because energy density investigations are a relatively new endeavor, there are neither standard calculation methods nor published nationally representative values. This paper examines the calculation of energy density based on systematic exclusion of beverage categories, presents data on variability, and compares values by sex, age, and race/ethnicity in a representative sample of U.S. adults. Mean daily dietary energy density values for adults (aged >19 y) were calculated using two 24-h recalls from the Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals 1994-1996 based on food, food and liquid meal replacements, food and alcohol, food and juice, food and milk, food and juice and milk, food and energy-containing beverages, and food and all beverages. Energy density varied by calculation method, ranging from 0.94 to 1.85 kcal/g (3.93-7.74 kJ/g). Intraindividual-to-interindividual CV ratios were highest for the food and energy-containing beverages calculation. Men reported diets with a higher energy density than women for all calculation methods (P < 0.0001). There were differences by race/ethnicity and an inverse linear trend for age. These data indicate that beverage inclusion schemes should be clearly defined when reporting energy density values. In epidemiologic studies, calculations based on food and all beverages and food and energy-containing beverages may diminish associations with outcome variables. These nationally representative data, which provide an important frame of reference for other studies, indicate that dietary energy density differs by sex, age, and race/ethnicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports that large portions of energy-dense foods are contributing to the obesity epidemic in the U.S. People eat in units, and larger units or portions mean that they eat more. Some steps that could be taken to address the problem include education and consumer awareness, food labels with portion size and more point-of-purchase nutrition information.

Evaluates the effects of dietary fat and fat substitutes on obesity and energy regulation in the United States, referencing data from studies conducted on the issue. Relationship between dietary fat and obesity; Concept associated with dietary fat and energy regulations; Comparison between dietary fat and energy density.

Abnormalities of eating behavior are definitional components of eating disorders (ED), but are seldom observed directly. This study assessed abnormalities of eating behavior in ED patients before treatment and documented changes after multidisciplinary treatment. Before treatment, all ED patient groups experienced low hunger and high fullness, compared to controls. After treatment, hunger increased and satiety decreased. ANR patients, after treatment, increased energy intake from 366 to 916.5 kcal (p < .001), while BN patients increased from 409.9 to 663 kcal (p = .03). ANB nonsignificantly increased. ANR chose significasntly more fats (22.7% to 36.2%, p = .05). Treatment partially normalizes pre-meal hunger and satiety in ED patients and significantly improves eating behavior (total energy intake and fat content) in ANR and BN patients. Reasons for nonsignificant changes in ANB are not obvious. We recommend documentation of eating behavior by simple, inexpensive, observational methods in a naturalistic setting before and after treatment of ED patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Few studies have examined the weight-control practices that promote weight loss and weight-loss maintenance in the same sample. Purpose: To examine whether the weight control practices associated with weight loss differ from those associated with weight-loss maintenance. Methods: Cross-sectional survey of a random sample of 1165 U.S. adults. The adjusted associations of the use of 36 weight-control practices in the past week with success in weight loss (≥10% lost in the past year) and success in weight-loss maintenance (≥10% lost and maintained for ≥1 year) were examined. Results: Of the 36 practices, only 8 (22%) were associated with both weight loss and weight-loss maintenance. Overall, there was poor agreement (kappa=0.22) between the practices associated with weight loss and/or weight-loss maintenance. For example, those who reported more often following a consistent exercise routine or eating plenty of low-fat sources of protein were 1.97 (95% CI=1.33, 2.94) and 1.76 (95% CI=1.25, 2.50) times more likely, respectively, to report weight-loss maintenance but not weight loss. Alternatively, those who reported more often doing different kinds of exercises or planning meals ahead of time were 2.56 (95% CI=1.44, 4.55) and 1.68 (95% CI=1.03, 2.74) times more likely, respectively, to report weight loss but not weight-loss maintenance. Conclusions: Successful weight loss and weight-loss maintenance may require two different sets of practices. Designing interventions with this premise may inform the design of more effective weight-loss maintenance interventions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

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.

Background: Laboratory-based investigations indicate that the consumption of foods with a low energy density (kcal/g) decreases energy intake. Although low-energy-dense diets are recommended for weight management, relations between energy density, energy intake, and weight status have not been clearly shown in free-living persons., Objectives: A representative US sample was used to determine whether dietary energy density is associated with energy intake, the weight of food consumed, and body weight and to explore the influence of food choices (fruit, vegetable, and fat consumption) on energy density and body weight., Design: A cross-sectional survey of adults (n = 7356) from the 1994-1996 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals and two 24-h dietary recalls were used., Results: Men and women with a low-energy-dense diet had lower energy intakes (approximately 425 and 275 kcal/d less, respectively) than did those with a high-energy-dense diet, even though they consumed more food (approximately 400 and 300 g/d more, respectively). Normal-weight persons had diets with a lower energy density than did obese persons. Persons with a high fruit and vegetable intake had the lowest energy density values and the lowest obesity prevalence., Conclusions: Adults consuming a low-energy-dense diet are likely to consume more food (by weight) but to have a lower energy intake than do those consuming a higher-energy-dense diet. The energy density of a variety of dietary patterns, including higher-fat diets, can be lowered by adding fruit and vegetables. Our findings support the hypothesis that a relation exists between the consumption of an energy-dense diet and obesity and provide evidence of the importance of fruit and vegetable consumption for weight management.