Dietary Energy Density in Relation to Obesity

Although several studies have assessed the relationship between dietary energy density and obesity, limited data are available in this regard in Iran. This study aimed to assess the association between dietary energy density and general and abdominal obesity among female students of School of Public Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. In this cross-sectional study, 90 female students of School of Public Health were selected proportionally to size by cluster random sampling method. Usual dietary intakes were evaluated by the use of a 168-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Weight, height and waist circumference were assessed. General obesity was defined as having body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2 and abdominal obesity as having waist circumference ≥ 80 cm. Mean BMI, dietary energy density and total energy intake of participants were 21.1 kg/m2, 87.0 kcal/g and 2122 kcal, respectively. General and abdominal obesity were prevalent among 9% and 8.9% of students, respectively. A significant negative association was found between dietary energy density and BMI (β=-4.9, P=0.03), even after adjustment for potential confounders (β=5.4, P=0.04). Waist circumference was not associated with dietary energy density. Although the prevalence of obesity was not different between tertiles of dietary energy density, it seems that BMI is significantly associated with this variable.