Energy intake adaptation of food intake to extreme energy densities of food by obese and non-obese women.

Energy intake adaptation of food intake to extreme energy densities of food by obese and non-obese women.

Westerterp-Plantenga MS, Pasman WJ, Yedema MJ, Wijckmans-Duijsens NE.

University of Limburg, Maastricht, Open University, Heerlen, The Netherlands.

OBJECTIVE: Examination of energy intake in relation to energy density of food in obese and non-obese women. Assessment of energy and macronutrient intake over a day. DESIGN: Controlled food intake diaries of two weekdays and one weekend day. SETTING: Daily life, with visits to the department of Human Biology, State University of Limburg. SUBJECTS: 96 women: 68 subjects: 34 obese and 34 non-obese were matched for age (20-50y) and were selected based on completing the food intake diaries accurately, i.e. underreporting < 10% of their estimated energy intake. RESULTS: The obese women showed a food intake distribution of 24 en% (0-7.5 kJ/g), 52 en% (7.5-15 kJ/g) and 24 en% (15-22.5 kJ/g), with a macronutrient composition of C/P/F: 39/17/44 en%. (Significantly different from the values of non-obese (P = 0.007) and of the Dutch food guidelines values (P = 0.008)). Non-obese women showed a food intake distribution of 38 en% (0-7.5 kJ/g), 49 en% (7.5-15 kJ/g), 13 en% (15-22.5 kJ/g), with a macronutrient composition of C/P/F: 46/17/37 en%. Energy intake per meal increased from 1.2 or 1.3 MJ to 4.1 or 4.5 MJ over a day. CONCLUSIONS: In obese women food intake was adapted to extreme energy densities of the food and in non-obese women food intake was overadapted to extreme energy densities. Energy intake per meal increased during the day.