Food consumption, habitual physical activity, and body fatness in young Dutch adults

The relationship between body fatness and both food consumption and habitual physical activity, was studied in young adult males (n = 122) and females (n = 140) in three age groups (20 to 22, 25 to 27, and 30 to 32 yr) in a Dutch population. In males the average daily energy intake was rather high (about 3000 kcal) and average body weight increased by 1.2 kg in the preceding year. Both findings suggest the existence of a positive energy balance. In females the average daily energy intake was normal (about 2170 kcal) and average body weight remained constant. Physical activity at work and sport was not related to the percentage of body fat in either sex, but physical activity, such as walking and cycling during leisure time, was slightly lower in fatter males. The fatter subjects tended to eat less than the leaner subjects but this was only significant in females. However, after adjusting for lean body mass and physical activity in a multiple regression model, energy intake was inversely related to percentage of body fat in both sexes. Change in body weight in the period of 4 months preceding the food consumption study seemed to reflect energy balance at the time of the food consumption study in only leaner and fatter females. After adjusting also for change in body weight in these females energy intake of fatter females remained lower, suggesting a reduced need for energy among many fatter females.