High fat and sugar consumption during ad libitum intake predicts weight gain

OBJECTIVE: To determine how macronutrients accompanying high-EnDen foods affect energy intake and weight gain. METHODS: 214 subjects(130 males, BMI:32 ± 7 kg/m(2)) ate ad libitum for 3-days. Food intake was expressed as mean daily intake(kcal) and percentage of weight-maintaining energy needs(%WMEN). EnDen was expressed as the ratio of intake(kcal) to food weight(g). Food choices were expressed as absolute and percent intake(kcal), categorized as high(HF; ≥45% kcal) or low in fat(LF; <20% kcal) and further categorized as high in complex-carbohydrates(HCC; ≥30% kcal), simple-sugars(HSS; ≥30% kcal), or protein(HP; ≥13% kcal). 99 subjects had follow-up weights(65m, range:6months-11yrs). RESULTS: EnDen was associated with BMI(r= .28, p<.0001), %body fat(r=.18, p=.007), and percent intake from HF/HP(r=.34, p <.0001), HF/HSS(r=.31, p< .0001), LF/HP (r=−.37, p<.0001) and LF/HSS(r=−.68, p< .0001). %WMEN was associated with EnDen(r=.16, p=.01), HF/HSS (r=.33, p<.0001) and LF/HP intake(r=−.25, p=.0002). In a multivariate model, only HF/HSS intake remained a significant predictor of %WMEN(β=1.4% per 1% change, p<.0001). Percent intake from HF/HSS(r=.23, p=.02), not EnDen(p=.54), was associated with weight gain, even after adjusting for follow-up time(yrs) and covariates. CONCLUSIONS: Relatively greater consumption of HF/HSS foods independently predicted overeating and weight gain. Nutrient compositions of high-EnDen foods may be important for weight management.