Energy density of the diet, food volume and energy intake by age and sex in a healthy population

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Objective: To assess the changes in energy intake (EI), food intake volume (FV) and energy density (ED) related to age and gender in a population in the Mediterranean area of Spain, and to determine the different role of FV and ED on the consecution of the adequate EI throughout lifespan. Subjects: One thousand and eighty-eight individuals (1–65 y) randomly selected from the population census. Design: Cross-sectional study in which food intake was quantified by 24 h dietary recall, three non-consecutive days. Height and weight measurements were taken in 885 individuals. Results: EI, FV and ED increased progressively (PPPPP=0.04), and in the ED (P=0.02) but not, as yet, in the FV. During adulthood, a significant trend towards decrease (P<0.001 in both sexes) was observed in EI and ED. However, FV decreased significantly only in females. Conclusions: The changes in energy intake that were observed with respect to age and gender were accommodated-for by changes in the ED of the diet rather than by variations in food volume intake. Auto-regulation of the ED of the diet, sufficient for energy intake requirement changes, appears to be an essential human capacity for efficient nutrition. Sponsorship: This study was funded, in part, by a grant for B Vizmanos from DANONE, Spain.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: