Physics

Internal medicine

Young adult

Population

Obesity

Classification of obesity

Endocrinology

Body mass index

Overweight

Underweight

Theoretical physics

Energy density

Fat mass

Medicine

Environmental health

Clinical Nursing Research

A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the association between body composition parameters as well as body mass index (BMI), and dietary energy density in a population of 538 young adults. Fat mass, fat mass percent, fat-free mass, and visceral fat were measured using a body composition analyzer. Daily energy intake was assessed using a 72-hr diet recall, and dietary energy density was calculated. Significant differences in dietary energy density among underweight, normal-weight and overweight/obesity young adults were identified ( M = 1.42, SD = 0.26 vs. M = 1.52, SD = 0.46 vs. M = 1.66, SD = 0.53, p = .002). Dietary energy density was associated with BMI (β = .961; CI 95% = 0.335, 1.586; p = .0030), fat mass percent (β = 1.921; CI 95% = 0.707, 3.135; p = .002), and fat mass (β = 2.146; CI 95% = 0.827, 3.466; p = .001). Dietary energy density might be considered as an important aspect in the obesity nutritional education programs in young people.

Dietary Energy Density is Associated with Body Mass Index and Fat Mass in Early Adulthood