Are Energy Dense Diets Also Nutrient Dense?

Abstract

Objective: Some beverages are nutrient dense, but they are often excluded from nutrient density calculations. The purpose of this study was to assess whether the energy-nutrient association changed when beverages were included in these calculations.

Design: Applying a cross-sectional design, a 24-hour dietary recall was collected on each participant.

Subjects/Setting: 440 young adults (ages 19–28 years) in Bogalusa, Louisiana participated in this study.

Statistical Analysis: Mean nutrient intakes and food group consumption were examined across the energy density (ED) tertiles using two calculation methods: one with food and all beverages (excluding water) (ED1) and one including food and only energy containing beverages (ED2). Regression models were used and multiple comparisons were performed using the Tukey-Kramer procedure. A p-value < 0.05 was considered to be significant.

Results: With increasing ED, there was a significant increase in the consumption of total meats (ED1 p < 0.05; ED2 p < 0.01). In contrast, there was a significant decrease in consumption of fruits/juices (ED1 p < 0.01; ED2 p < 0.0001), vegetables (ED1 p < 0.01; ED2 p < 0.05), beverages (both p < 0.0001) and total sweets with increasing ED (both p < 0.0001). There was a significantly higher mean intake of total protein (grams) (ED2 p < 0.0001), amino acids (ED1 histidine/leucine p < 0.05; ED2 p < 0.0001), and total fat (grams) (ED1 p < 0.0001; ED2 p < 0.0001) with higher ED compared to lower ED. The percent energy from protein (ED1 p < 0.05; ED2 p < 0.0001), total fat (both p < 0.001) and saturated fatty acids (both p < 0.0001) significantly increased and the percent energy from carbohydrate (both p < 0.0001) and sucrose (both p < 0.0001) significantly decreased with increasing ED.

Conclusion: This study suggests that ED may influence the ND of the diet depending on whether energy containing beverages are included or excluded in the analysis.

• energy density
• nutrient density
• dietary intake
• young adults

This work is a publication of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA/ARS) Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, and Houston, Texas. The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the USDA, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement from the U.S. government. This research project is supported by the USDA-Agricultural Research Service through specific cooperative agreement 58-6250-6-003.

The Bogalusa Heart Study represents the collaborative efforts of many people whose cooperation is gratefully acknowledged. We also thank the children and young adults of Bogalusa without whom this study would not have been possible. This research was supported by funds from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the U.S. Public Health Service, Early Natural History of Arteriosclerosis grant No. 5R01 HL 38844.

The authors wish to thank Pamelia Harris for help in preparing the manuscript and Bee Wong for obtaining scientific articles.