Dietary energy density is associated with body weight, fat mass and visceral fat in early adulthood

Abstract

Dietary energy density (DED) has recently been identified as an effective nutritional strategy for reducing the risk of obesity. We aimed to investigate the association between body composition parameters as well as body weight and BMI, and DED in a large population of 585 young adults (68.5 % females) aged 18-25. Body weight, fat mass (FM), percentage of fat mass (PFM), fat-free mass (FFM), and visceral fat (VF) were measured using a body composition analyser. Daily energy intake was assessed using a 72-hour diet recall, and DED was calculated. Linear regression analysis showed significant associations between DED and body weight, PFM, and VF after being adjusted for sex. DED might be considered as an important aspect in the obesity nutritional education programs in young people. Nurses should develop nutritional counselling programs based on the identification of high and low-energy-density meals in young adults.