The impact of a long-term reduction in dietary energy density on body weight within a randomized diet trial.
We examined the effect of dietary energy density change on body weight in participants of a randomized trial. Intervention participants markedly increased fruit and vegetable intake while reducing energy intake from fat. Participants were 2,718 breast cancer survivors, aged 26-74 yr, with baseline mean body mass index of 27.3 kg/m(2) (SD = 6.3). We assessed dietary intake by sets of four 24-h dietary recalls and validated with plasma carotenoid concentrations. Weight and height were measured at baseline, 1 yr, and 4 yr. Dietary energy density was calculated using food but excluding beverages. Intervention participants significantly reduced dietary energy density compared to controls and maintained it over 4 yr -- both in cross-sectional (P < 0.0001) and longitudinal (Group x Time interaction, P < 0.0001) analyses. Total energy intake or physical activity did not vary between groups. The intervention group had a small but significant weight loss at 1 yr (Group x Time interaction, P < 0.0001), but no between-group weight difference was observed at 4 yr. Our study showed that reducing dietary energy density did not result in a reduction in total energy intake and suggests that this strategy alone is not sufficient to promote long-term weight loss in a free-living population.
Saquib
Nazmus
N
Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Moores UCSD Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0901, USA.
Natarajan
Loki
L
Rock
Cheryl L
CL
Flatt
Shirley W
SW
Madlensky
Lisa
L
Kealey
Sheila
S
Pierce
John P
JP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000097:blood; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000517:prevention & control; D009753:Nutritive Value; D014675:Vegetables; D015431:Weight Loss
D004041:Dietary Fats; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D002338:Carotenoids