Energy density of meals and snacks in the British diet in relation to overall diet quality, BMI and waist circumference: findings from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey

In a study of 1,451 British adults aged 19-64, meal energy density is associated with higher BMI and waist circumference.

• Both meal and snack energy density are inversely associated with overall diet quality as measured by the healthy diet indicator and Mediterranean diet score.
• The associations are stronger for meal energy density compared to snack energy density.
• Meal energy density based on energy intake contribution is positively associated with BMI and waist circumference in both men and women.
• Men show a positive association between meal energy density and waist circumference when measured by time.
• Women exhibit a positive association between snack energy density and BMI when measured by time.

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