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

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 (beta = .961; CI 95% = 0.335, 1.586; p = .0030), fat mass percent (beta = 1.921; CI 95% = 0.707, 3.135; p = .002), and fat mass (beta = 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.