The associations of total energy, macronutrients intake and meals-derived energy with body mass index

Background: In some works, a correlation between the percentage of meals-derived energy intake and the prevalence rate of obesity has been found. Objectives: To explore any possible correlation between body mass index (BMI) and dietary energy, macronutrients intakes and also contribution of meals to energy intake. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which 348 male high school students aged 14-16 from Zarrin-shahr district, Isfahan, were investigated. The selection procedure was based on stratified random sampling from all high schools in the region followed by calculation of BMI (Weight/height2) for each individual. Data on food and nutrient intakes were gathered using a 24-hr dietary recall method. Obesity, overweight and thinness was defined on the basis of CDC 2000. Findings: The data showed that 9% of adolescents were thin, 6% overweight and 5% obese. While there was a positive correlation between total energy intake and BMI (r=0.31 p<0.03), no relationship was found between BMI and protein, fat or carbohydrate intakes. In all age groups, overweight/obese students had lower energy intake from breakfast. The adolescents aged 14 and 15 had higher energy intake from lunch (23.9±5.1% vs. 18.9±4.2% and 27.2±4.0% vs. 19.2±3.9%), respectively (p<0.01). Conclusion: There was a significant correlation between total energy intakes and BMI, and also between the latter and the energy share of different meals which may have important implications in designing nutrition education programs to prevent overweight or obesity in school adolescents