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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #204175
Title: Eating patterns and dietary composition in relation to BMI in younger and older adults

Author
item HOWARTH, NANCY - UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII
item HUANG, TERRY - NATL INST OF CHILD HEALTH
item Roberts, Susan
item LIN, BIING-HWAN - USDA ERS
item MCCRORY, MEGAN - BASTYR UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: International Journal of Obesity
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/3/2006
Publication Date: 9/5/2006
Citation: Howarth, N.C., Huang, T.T., Roberts, S., Lin, B., Mccrory, M.A. 2006. Eating patterns and dietary composition in relation to BMI in younger and older adults. International Journal of Obesity. 31(4):675-684

Interpretive Summary: The relative associations of eating patterns and dietary composition with BMI, particularly at different life stages, are poorly understood. Although several previous studies have shown lower eating frequency is associated with higher BMI, those studies were confounded by implausibly low dietary energy intake reports. In the present study, we compare relative associations of eating patterns and dietary composition with BMI in younger (aged 20-59 y) and older (aged 60-90 y) participants in the Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals 1994-96. Data from two 24-h dietary recalls from individuals reporting physiologically plausible energy intake (within +/-22% of predicted energy requirements, based on previously published methods) were used. Mean reported energy intake was 96% and 95% of predicted energy requirements in younger and older subjects, respectively. A higher BMI in both age groups was associated with a higher total daily energy intake, and higher energy intakes at all eating occasions (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks). In both age groups, eating frequency was positively associated with energy intake, and eating more than 3 times a day was associated with being overweight or obese. In the younger group but not the older group, a lower fiber density coupled with higher % energy from fat was independently associated with having a higher BMI. Conclusions: While no one eating occasion contributes more than any other to excess adiposity, eating more often than three times a day may be associated with overweight and obesity in both younger and older persons. A reduced satiety response to dietary fiber in addition to lower energy expenditure may potentially further contribute to weight gain in older persons. Research contribution: This study is one of the first to show that eating more than 3 times a day may lead to higher daily calorie consumption and thus weight gain in both younger and older persons. It is also the first to show that fiber may not work as well for weight control in older compared to younger person.

Technical Abstract: Objective: To compare relative associations of eating patterns and dietary composition with BMI in younger (aged 20-59 y) and older (aged 60-90 y) participants in the Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals 1994-96. Methods: Data from two 24-h dietary recalls from individuals reporting physiologically plausible energy intake (within +/-22% of predicted energy requirements, based on previously published methods) were used. Results: Mean reported energy intake was 96% and 95% of predicted energy requirements in younger and older subjects, respectively. Older subjects were less likely than younger subjects to skip a meal, but snacking was common in both age groups. Fiber density was significantly higher in the older group. A higher BMI in both age groups was associated with a higher total daily energy intake, and higher energy intakes at all eating occasions. In both age groups, eating frequency was positively associated with energy intake, and eating more than 3 times a day was associated with being overweight or obese. In the younger group but not the older group, a lower fiber density coupled with higher % energy from fat was independently associated with having a higher BMI. Conclusions: While no one eating occasion contributes more than any other to excess adiposity, eating more often than three times a day may be associated with overweight and obesity in both younger and older persons. A reduced satiety response to dietary fiber in addition to lower energy expenditure may potentially further contribute to weight gain in older persons.