Does fat intake predict adiposity in healthy children and adolescents aged 2--15 y? A longitudinal analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between food energy and macronutrient intake and body fatness assessed up to seven times between 2 and 15 y of age. DESIGN: Prospective, observational study. Generalised linear estimating equations were used to evaluate the longitudinal relationship between body fatness and macronutrient intake. Regression analysis was used to assess whether body fatness at a particular age was predicted by intake at any of the previous ages. SETTING: Community-based project in Adelaide, South Australia. SUBJECTS: In all 143--243 subjects from a representative birth cohort of healthy children recruited in 1975 and followed over 15 y. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The dependent variables were body mass index (BMI), triceps (TC) and subscapular (SS) skinfolds, expressed as standard deviation (s.d.) scores at each age. The predictor variables were energy-adjusted macronutrient intake and total energy intake, estimated from a 3--4 day diet diary, the previous corresponding measure of body fatness, sex and parental BMI, TC or SS. RESULTS: Across 2--15 y energy-adjusted fat and carbohydrate intakes were respectively directly and inversely related to SS skinfold measures but not to either BMI or TC skinfold. The best predictor of fatness was previous adiposity, with the effect strengthening as the age interval shortened. Parental BMI, maternal SS and paternal TC contributed to the variance of the corresponding measure in children at some but not all ages. CONCLUSIONS: The current level of body fatness of the child and parental adiposity are more important predictors than dietary intake variables of risk of children becoming or remaining overweight as they grow.     

Diet composition and body composition in preschool children

BACKGROUND: In studies of adult humans and in animal models, dietary intakes of the macronutrients, particularly fat, are related to body composition; however, data on children are more scarce. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine whether diet composition is related to percentage body fat in children aged 1.5-4.5 y. DESIGN: In 77 preschool children, a 4-d weighed-food record was used to determine intakes of total energy and energy from each macronutrient. An oxygen-18 dilution method was used to calculate percentage body fat. Habitual physical activity level was determined by calculating the ratio of total energy expenditure (from stable isotope analyses) to predicted basal metabolic rate. Dietary intake and body-composition data were analyzed to evaluate whether diet composition was related to body fat. Further analyses incorporating physical activity level were performed. RESULTS: Percentage body fat was not significantly correlated with dietary intake variables (total energy or percentage of energy from fat, carbohydrate, or protein) and did not differ significantly among 3 increasing levels of each dietary intake variable by analysis of variance. In multiple regression analysis, physical activity level was related to body fat whereas diet composition was not. CONCLUSIONS: We found no relations between dietary intakes of total energy, fat, carbohydrate, or protein and percentage body fat in children. The relation between fat intake and body fat may develop over time and may not be evident in preschool children. Energy expenditure, in particular physical activity level, may have a greater influence on body composition in early childhood.     

Effects of physical activity,fitness and fatness on children's body image: The Australian LOOK longitudinal study

BackgroundAmong children relationships between body image and body fat are well documented but less attention has been given to relationships with physical activity and fitness. This study examined longitudinal relationships of children's body image with physical activity, fitness and percent body fat whilst accounting for a number of potential confounding variables.MethodParticipants were 821 elementary-school children across 29 schools from the Lifestyle of our Kids (LOOK) study. Measures of body image, body fat (DXA), physical activity (pedometers) and fitness (shuttle run) were collected in grades two, four and six.ResultsThe current study found longitudinal evidence that increases in %BF among primary school-aged girls is associated with greater body dissatisfaction and cross-sectional evidence of the same relationship among boys. Among both boys and girls, lower levels of cardiovascular fitness were associated with greater body dissatisfaction cross-sectionally, even after adjusting for percent body fat. Weaker evidence was found for the relationship between physical activity and body dissatisfaction and these relationships were no longer significant after adjusting for percent body fat. At the between-school level we found significant and positive relationships between body dissatisfaction and physical activity among girls and with percent body fat for boys, indicating that school culture may significantly affect body dissatisfaction.ConclusionIncreased adiposity is a strong predictor of body dissatisfaction, particularly among girls. Higher levels of cardiovascular fitness may act as a protective buffer to body image concerns, regardless of a child's body composition. Future interventions may benefit from targeting change in school culture.     

The Cross-Sectional Association of Energy Intake and Dietary Energy Density with Body Composition of Children in Southwest China

Objective: We examined whether dietary energy intake (EI) and dietary energy density (ED) were cross-sectionally associated with body composition of children living in Southwest China. Design and Methods: Multivariate regression analyses were performed on three day, 24 h dietary recall data and information on potential confounders from 1207 participants aged 8–14 years. EI was calculated from all foods and drinks and ED was classified into five categories. Body mass index (BMI) z-scores, percentage of body fat (%BF), fat mass index (FMI), fat-free mass index (FFMI) and ratio of waist to hip circumference (WHR) were used to describe body composition. Results: Boys with higher total EI had higher BMI z-scores, %BF, and FMI than boys with lower total EI both before and after measurements were adjusted for confounders (age, fiber intake, physical activity, the timing of adding complementary foods, paternal education level and maternal BMI) (p ≤ 0.04). However, EI was not associated with body composition in girls. Dietary ED, in any category, was not associated with body composition in either gender. Conclusions: Dietary ED was not associated with body composition of children in Southwest China, while dietary EI in boys, not girls, was positively associated with body composition. Reducing dietary energy intake may help to prevent obesity and related diseases in later life among boys living in Southwest China.     

Physical Fitness but Not Diet Quality Distinguishes Lean and Normal Weight Obese Adults

BackgroundIndividuals with normal weight obesity (NWO) have increased cardiometabolic disease and mortality risk, but factors contributing to NWO development are unknown.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to determine whether diet quality scores and physical fitness levels differed between adults classified as lean, NWO, and overweight-obese. Secondary objectives of the study were to compare clinical biomarkers and food groups and macronutrient intakes between the three groups, and to test for associations between body composition components with diet quality scores and physical fitness levels.DesignThis is a secondary data analysis from a cross-sectional study that included metropolitan university and health care system employees. Body composition was measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Individuals with a body mass index <25 kg/m² and body fat >23% for men and >30% for women were classified as having NWO. Alternate Healthy Eating Index, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension score, and Mediterranean Diet Score were calculated from Block food frequency questionnaires. Physical fitness was assessed by measuring maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂ maximum) during treadmill testing.Participants/settingThis study included 693 adults (65% women, mean age 48.9 ± 11.5 years) enrolled between 2007 and 2013 in Atlanta, GA.Main outcome measuresThe main outcome measures were Alternate Healthy Eating Index, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, and Mediterranean Diet Score diet quality scores and maximal oxygen uptake.Statistical analysesMultiple linear regression analyses with post hoc comparisons were used to investigate group differences in fitness, diet quality, and biomarkers. Regression analyses were also used to examine relationships between diet quality scores and fitness with body composition.ResultsVO₂ maximum was significantly lower in the NWO compared with the lean group (36.2 ± 0.8 mL/min/kg vs 40.2 ± 1.0 mL/min/kg; P < 0.05). Individuals with NWO reported similar diet quality to lean individuals and more favorable Alternate Healthy Eating Index and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension scores than individuals with overweight-obesity (P < 0.05). Diet quality scores and physical fitness levels were inversely associated with percent body fat and visceral adipose tissue (P < 0.05), regardless of weight status. Individuals with NWO exhibited higher fasting blood insulin concentrations, insulin resistance, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, and significantly lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels than lean individuals (P < 0.05).ConclusionsPhysical fitness was significantly decreased in individuals with NWO compared with lean individuals. Higher diet quality was associated with decreased total and visceral fat but did not distinguish individuals with NWO from lean individuals.     

Diet Composition Related to Body Fat in a Multivariate Study of 203 Men

Objective To assess whether usual diet (especially intake of dietary fat, carbohydrate, and fiber) was related to body fat percentage in healthy men.Design A written questionnaire provided data on demographic and lifestyle characteristics. Dietary fat, carbohydrate, protein, and fiber intakes were analyzed using the National Cancer Institute food frequency questionnaire. Percentage of body fat was determined using three-site skinfold measurements, and a submaximal treadmill test was used to estimate aerobic fitness.Subjects Subjects were 203 healthy men (14.0±5.3% mean body fat) aged 21 to 71 years. The subjects were chosen from randomly selected districts within Utah County and volunteered for free diet and fitness evaluations.Statistical analysis Multiple regression analysis determined the extent to which the individual diet components predicted body composition before and after controlling for energy intake, fitness level, body weight, and age. Multivariate analysis of variance was used to compare relative body fat groups in regard to dietary variables.Results Reported intakes of carbohydrate (P=.0085, R²=.022), complex carbohydrate (P=.0127,R²=.024), and fiber (P=.002, R²=.03) were inversely associated with body fat after controlling for age, energy intake, and fitness level. Energy intake was positively related to body fat after controlling for age, fitness level, and body weight. When subjects were separated into low-, moderate-, and high-body-fat groups, the fattest subjects reported eating significantly more dietary fat (P=.05) and less carbohydrate (P=.01), complex carbohydrate (P=.01), and fiber (P=.005) than the leanest subjects. No significant difference in reported energy intake was noted across body fat groups.Applications Composition of the diet may play a role in obesity beyond energy intake in men over the long-term. Lifestyle changes for men should probably include modifications in diet composition, especially increased consumption of foods high in complex carbohydrate and fiber. J Am Diet Assoc. 1996; 96:771–777.     

Dietary indices,cardiovascular risk factors and mortality in middle-aged adults: findings from the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study

PurposeWe examined the association between three predefined dietary indices and both cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and long-term mortality in adult Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study’s participants.MethodsBetween 1987 and 1999, 12,449 (77% male) participants aged 20–84 years completed a clinical examination, which included dietary assessment by 3-day diet records. Three dietary indices were calculated: the Ideal Diet Index, the Diet Quality Index, and the Mediterranean Diet Score. CVD risk factors measurements included body mass index, total cholesterol, fasting glucose, blood pressure, and cardiorespiratory fitness. We calculated hazard ratios from Cox regression analyses, adjusting for potential confounders including physical fitness.ResultsHigher Ideal Diet Index, Diet Quality Index, and Mediterranean Diet Score scores were consistently associated with lower body mass index, cholesterol and glucose levels, and diastolic blood pressure, and higher cardiorespiratory fitness (all P < .05). However, after adjusting for age, sex, energy intake, and baseline examination year, the indices were not significantly related to all-cause, CVD, or cancer mortality. No association was observed in fully adjusted models, which controlled for fitness.ConclusionsAlthough these dietary indices based on 3-day diet records are strongly associated cross-sectionally to CVD risk profile of middle-aged men and women, they do not add to ability to predict long-term mortality in follow-up.     

Food and macronutrient intake of male adolescent Kalenjin runners in Kenya

A nutritional survey based on twelve adolescent male Kalenjin runners in Kenya during a 2-week field study was carried out in order to determine the composition of their diet and make a comparison with macronutrient recommendations for athletes. Food samples were collected for analysis of macronutrient distribution and energy content from main meals and the macronutrient distribution and energy content of additional food intake were based on the information of a 24 h recall interview and estimated from food tables. The diet of the Kalenjin runners was very high in carbohydrate (71 % 8.7 g/kg body weight per d) and very low in fat (15 %). Intake of total protein (13 %; 1.6 g/kg body weight per d) was above the daily intake recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization/United Nations University (FAO/WHO/UNU), while essential amino acid intake was estimated to be in the borderline-to-low range based on FAO/WHO/UNU recommendations for children <12 years and adults. The energy intake was mainly derived from vegetable sources (90 %) with maize and kidney beans as the staple food (81 %). The diet of the Kalenjin runners met recommendations for endurance athletes for total protein and most essential amino acid intake as well as carbohydrate intake even though it was based on a small range of food items.     

Obesity and central adiposity in Japanese immigrants: role of the Western dietary pattern

We examined the association of nutritional factors with body fat deposition in a representative sample (n=530, aged 40-79 years) of first and second-generation Japanese-Brazilian population who was submitted to standardized questionnaires, including nutritional data, clinical examination and laboratory procedures. Dietary data were compared between groups of subjects defined by the presence of obesity or central adiposity. Associations of body mass index or waist circumference (dependent variables) with energy and nutrient intakes (main exposure of interest) were analyzed by multiple linear regression, with adjustment for gender, age, physical activity and generation. Groups of obese subjects and those with central adiposity consumed higher proportions of energy as fat and lower as carbohydrate than those without obesity and central adiposity (p<0.05). Stratifying by generation, second-generation was shown to take more energy as fat than the first-generation (p<0.05). In the regression models, protein intake was the only variable significantly associated with body mass index. Replacing body mass index by the waist circumference, male sex and protein intake were shown to be independent predictors of central adiposity. When second-generation was taken, total energy intake and all macronutrient intakes became significantly associated with body mass index (p<0.05) but only protein intake predicted waist circumference. We speculate that Japanese-Brazilians, genetically prone to insulin resistance, when exposed to unfavorable environment will express a number of metabolic disturbances. A deleterious dietary pattern may contribute to weight gain, was associated with abdominal fat deposition in particular a protein-rich diet, and reflected by their waist circumference. Intra-abdominal fat could be triggering insulin resistance, which would explain the increased prevalence rates of diabetes, dyslipidemia and hypertension seen in Japanese-Brazilians.     

The Association between Changes in Coronary Artery Calcium Scores,Dietary Intake,Physical Activity,and Depression Symptoms among the Population of Gaza Strip,Palestine

BackgroundThis study aimed to identify the association between macronutrient intake, physical activity, and depressive symptoms and changes in coronary artery calcium score among the population of Gaza Strip.MethodThe study sample consisted of 269 individuals who underwent non-enhanced coronary computed tomography using 64-slice MDCT (Siemens, Germany) at Al-Shifa medical complex between September 2017 and January 2018. The study participants were divided into two groups; group one, consisting of coronary calcium calcification scoring (CAC) of greater than zero (CAC score > 0), and group two, CAC less than or equal to zero (CAC score ≤ 0). Data about macronutrient intake, physical activity, and depressive symptoms were collected using a validated self-administered questionnaire. Additionally, the participants'' anthropometric characteristics and blood biochemical markers were measured.ResultsOut of 269 participants, 45-recorded CAC score > 0; 72% of them were males with a mean age of 52.6 ± 5.4 years. Significant differences between the two groups in terms of total energy, lipid intake, and carbohydrate were found (P-value of 0.020, 0.012, and 0.034, respectively). No significant differences were recorded in protein intake, physical activity, and depression. Multivariate logistic regression analysis under adjustment for possible confounding factors revealed that macronutrient intake, physical activity, and depressive symptoms were not associated with the development of CAC in two models.ConclusionBased on our findings, macronutrient intake, physical activity, and depressive symptoms are not associated with the development of CAC among the population of Gaza.     

Clustering of Multiple Lifestyle Behaviors and Health-related Fitness in European Adolescents

ObjectiveTo explore the clustering of different lifestyle behaviors and whether this clustering differs by gender, age, and health-related fitness.DesignHealthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence (HELENA) cross-sectional study.SettingTen European cities.ParticipantsA total of 2,084 adolescents (12.5–17.5 years).Main Outcome MeasuresFour lifestyle behaviors were assessed by self-administered questionnaires: moderate to vigorous physical activity, homework time, screen time, and diet. Health-related fitness components (aerobic capacity, strength, speed-agility, and body composition) were assessed.AnalysisHierarchical method and κ-means cluster analysis. Analysis of variance tests.ResultsFive clusters were identified: Healthy diet and Active, Healthy diet and Academic, Healthy diet and Inactive, Unhealthy diet and Screen user, and Unhealthy diet and Active. Younger adolescents were more active and followed a healthier diet than older adolescents. Older boys devoted more time to screen use, whereas older girls devoted more time to homework. Boys in the Healthy diet and Active cluster presented higher aerobic capacity and speed-agility, whereas girls presented higher aerobic capacity, strength, and speed-agility.Conclusions and ImplicationsClustering of different lifestyle behaviors is observed. Different healthy lifestyles do not always come together and clusters are associated with gender, age, and health-related fitness, but not with body composition. These differences need to be considered when developing intervention strategies for the prevention of unhealthy habits.     

Influence of body composition on the accuracy of reported energy intake in children

OBJECTIVE: Mis-reporting dietary intake is a substantial barrier to understanding the role of dietary behavior in disease. Work with adults indicates that heavier individuals under-report dietary intake and that under-reporting may be macronutrient-specific. Whether weight status and macronutrient intake influence the accuracy of dietary reports among children, however, is less clear. This research evaluated children's dietary reporting accuracy as a function of their relative weight, body composition, and macronutrient intake. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Participants included 146 4- to 11-year-old children. Reported energy intake was determined by interviewing children in the presence of parents, using three multiple pass, 24-hour recalls. Children were classified as having had an under-reported, accurately reported, or over-reported dietary intake relative to total energy expenditure, as measured by doubly labeled water. Reporting accuracy was examined as a function of children's body weight, body composition (using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry), and macronutrient intake. RESULTS: Average reported intake was, on average, 14% greater than children's estimated expenditure (p < 0.01). Reporting accuracy varied as a function of children's relative weight and body composition; under-reporting tended to occur among heavier children, having the highest body fat content (p < 0.0001) and relative weight (p < 0.0001). DISCUSSION: These findings suggest that weight status influences the accuracy of dietary reports made by children and their parents. More research is needed to address possible psychological and social factors that introduce bias in reporting children's dietary data.     

Dietary fiber and associations with adiposity and fasting insulin among college students with plausible dietary reports

ObjectiveWe examined dietary fiber intake, food sources of dietary fiber, and relation of dietary fiber to body composition and metabolic parameters in college students with plausible dietary reports.MethodsStudents (18–24 y of age) provided data on anthropometry, fasting blood chemistries, and body composition (bioelectric impedance). Diet and physical activity were assessed with the Diet History Questionnaire and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Plausible dietary reporters were identified (±1 SD cutoffs for reported energy intake as a percentage of predicted energy requirement). Multiple regression analyses were conducted with the total (n = 298) and plausible (n = 123) samples, adjusting for age, race, sex, smoking status, physical activity, energy intake, and fat-free mass (where applicable).ResultsFood sources of dietary fiber were similar in men and women. In the plausible sample compared with the total sample, dietary fiber was more strongly associated with fat mass (β = ?0.24, P < 0.001), percentage of body fat (β = ?0.23, P < 0.001), body mass index (β = ?0.11, P < 0.01), waist circumference (β = ?0.67, P < 0.05), and fasting insulin (β = ?0.15, P < 0.001). When the effect of sex was investigated, dietary fiber was inversely related to fasting insulin and fat mass in men and women and inversely related to percentage of body fat, body mass index, and waist circumference in men only (P < 0.05).ConclusionInclusion of implausible dietary reports may result in spurious or weakened diet–health associations. Dietary fiber is negatively associated with fasting insulin levels in men and women and consistently associated with adiposity measurements in men.     

Metabolic effects of whole grain wheat and whole grain rye in the C57BL/6J mouse

ObjectiveA diet rich in whole grain cereals is suggested to protect against type 2 diabetes and facilitate body weight regulation. However, little is known about the impact of different cereals and the underlying mechanisms. The objective of this study was to compare the long-term metabolic effects of diets supplemented with whole grain wheat or whole grain rye in the C57BL/6J mouse.MethodsMice were fed the whole grain supplements in a low-fat background diet for 22 wk. Oral and intravenous glucose tolerance tests were performed during the study and in vitro insulin secretion assays were performed at the end of the study. Body weight, energy intake, body fat content, and plasma parameters were measured during the study.ResultsA dietary supplement of whole grain rye suppressed body weight gain and resulted in significantly decreased adiposity, plasma leptin, total plasma cholesterol, and triacylglycerols compared with a supplement of whole grain wheat. Also, a slight improvement in insulin sensitivity was observed in the rye group compared with the wheat group. The decreases in body weight and adiposity were observed in the absence of differences in energy intake.ConclusionLong-term administration of whole grain rye evokes a different metabolic profile compared with whole grain wheat in the C57BL/6J mouse, the primary difference being that whole grain rye reduces body weight and adiposity compared with whole grain wheat. In addition, whole grain rye slightly improves insulin sensitivity and lowers total plasma cholesterol.     

Determinants of Dietary Intake in a Sample of White and Mexican-American Children

Objective To assess the influence of several potential psychosocial determinants on children's eating behavior.Participants Three hundred fifty-one Mexican-American and non-Hispanic white children (mean age=4.4 years old at baseline) participated in the San Diego Study of Children's Activity and Nutrition for up to 2.5 years.Methods Child's eating behavior was described by 3 dependent variables: total energy, percentage energy from fat, and sodium intake per 1,000 kcal. Dietary information was collected 4 days a year using a 24-hour food intake record, which was a combination of direct observation and interviews with food preparers. The 35 predictor variables from child, parental, demographic, and environmental domains were collected by behavioral observation, interviewer-administered questionnaires, and physical measurements.Statistical analyses Bivariate and regression analyses via mixed linear models were performed.Results Variables from the children's domain (such as skinfold thickness and weight) had the strongest associations with energy intake; parental variables (such as fat avoidance behavior and prompts to increase children's food intake) were associated with child's percentage energy from fat and sodium intake. In regression analyses, parsimonious subsets of variables accounted for 46% of variance in energy intake (3 variables), 40% of the variance in percentage of energy from fat (4 variables), and 44% of variance in sodium intake per 1,000 kcal energy (1 variable) in between-subject variance components.Conclusions Fat and sodium intake of children may be improved by improving parents’ nutrition habits and by having parents encourage children to eat a healthful diet. Few modifiable correlates of children's energy intake were identified. J Am Diet Assoc. 1998;98:1282–1289.     

Dietary fat and body fat: a multivariate study of 205 adult females.

This study examined the association between diet composition, particularly dietary fat intake, and body-fat percentage in 205 adult females. Subjects completed a written questionnaire regarding lifestyle factors, such as exercise participation and smoking, demographic data, and the diet section of the National Cancer Institute's Health Habits and History Questionnaire by Block. Skinfold-thickness measures were used to ascertain the body-fat percentage of each subject. Results showed that intake of dietary fat was related significantly with adiposity, without (F = 13.65, R2 = 0.063, P = 0.0003) and with (F = 8.74, R2 = 0.033, P = 0.0035) control for multiple potential confounding factors: age, total energy intake, total exercise time per week, years of regular physical activity, consumption of other macronutrients, and smoking. Unlike dietary fat intake, protein consumption and carbohydrate intake were not significant individual predictors of body-fat percentage when the potential confounding variables were controlled. The findings suggest that dietary fat intake may play a role in obesity beyond dietary energy content.     

Association of energy intake and macronutrient composition with overweight and obesity in malay women from klang valley

This cross-sectional study investigates the association between energy intake and macronutrient composition of the diet with overweight and obesity among Malaysian women. One hundred and fifteen adult Malay women aged 20 to 59 years (mean age 37.2±7.6 years) were interviewed. Dietary intake was assessed using the food history method. Body weight status was assessed using weight, height, waist circumference and fat percentage measurements. When energy intake was assessed for accuracy, only 41% of the subjects (n=47) were normal energy reporters. Among the normal energy reporters, 55% were of normal weight whereas 32% and 13% were overweight and obese. Mean energy intake for normal weight, overweight and obese subjects was 1685±199 kcal/day, 1810±166 kcal/day and 2119±222 kcal/day, respectively. Energy intake increased with body mass index (BMI) category. Among the overweight and obese, energy intake was respectively higher by 125 kcal/day and 434 kcal/day as compared to their normal weight counterparts (p< 0.001). There was also a significant, moderate and positive correlation between energy intake and BMI (r=0.635), waist circumference (r=0.545), and body fat percentage (r=0.534). When macronutrient composition of diet was analysed (% energy and g/1000 kcal), there was no significant difference in carbohydrate, protein or fat intake between the obese, overweight and normal weight subjects. There was also no significant correlation between macronutrient composition of the diet and body weight status. Based on these findings, we conclude that the subjects' body weight status is likely to be influenced by energy intake rather than the macronutrient composition of the diet.     

Isocaloric intake of a high-fat diet modifies adiposity and lipid handling in a sex dependent manner in rats

Background  

High-fat (HF) diet feeding usually leads to hyperphagia and body weight gain, but macronutrient proportions in the diet can modulate energy intake and fat deposition. The mechanisms of fat accumulation and mobilization may differ significantly between depots, and gender can also influence these differences.     

Antidepressant Use is Associated with Increased Energy Intake and Similar Levels of Physical Activity

Antidepressants have been associated with weight gain, but the causes are unclear. The aims of this study were to assess the association of antidepressant use with energy intake, macronutrient diet composition, and physical activity. We used data on medication use, energy intake, diet composition, and physical activity for 3073 eligible adults from the 2005–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Potential confounding variables, including depression symptoms, were included in the models assessing energy intake, physical activity, and sedentary behavior. Antidepressant users reported consuming an additional (mean ± S.E.) 215 ± 73 kcal/day compared to non-users (p = 0.01). There were no differences in percent calories from sugar, fat, or alcohol between the two groups. Antidepressant users had similar frequencies of walking or biking, engaging in muscle-strengthening activities, and engaging in moderate or vigorous physical activity. Antidepressant users were more likely to use a computer for ≥2 h/day (OR 1.77; 95% CI: 1.09–2.90), but TV watching was similar between the two groups. These results suggest increased energy intake and sedentary behavior may contribute to weight gain associated with antidepressant use. Focusing on limiting food intake and sedentary behaviors may be important in mitigating the weight gain associated with antidepressant use.     

Dairy Calcium is Related to Changes in Body Composition during a Two-Year Exercise Intervention in Young Women

Objective: Relationships between micronutrients and dairy product intake and changes in body weight and composition over two years were investigated.

Design: Two year prospective non-concurrent analysis of the effect of calcium intake on changes in body composition during a two year exercise intervention.

Subjects: 54 normal weight young women, 18 to 31 years of age.

Measures of Outcome: Mean intakes of nutrients of interest were determined from three-day diet records completed at baseline and every six months for two years. The change in total body weight and body composition (assessed by dual x-ray absorptiometry) from baseline to two years was also determined.

Results: Total calcium/kilocalories and vitamin A together predicted (negatively and positively, respectively) changes in body weight (R² = 0.19) and body fat (R² = 0.27). Further, there was an interaction of calcium and energy intake in predicting changes in body weight, such that, only at lower energy intakes, calcium intake (not adjusted for energy) predicted changes in body weight.

Conclusions: Regardless of exercise group assignment, calcium adjusted for energy intake had a negative relationship and vitamin A intake a positive relationship with two year changes in total body weight and body fat in young women aged 18 to 31 years. Thus, subjects with high calcium intake, corrected by total energy intake, and lower vitamin A intake gained less weight and body fat over two years in this randomized exercise intervention trial.