The objective of the present research is to examine the dietary energy density (ED) of Irish teenagers aged 13 to 17 years. Data from the National Teens' Food Survey (NTFS) were used for this analysis (http://www.iuna.net).
Dietary intake data was analysed using WISP© (Tinuviel Software, Anglesey, UK), which contains McCance and Widdowson's The Composition of Foods, 6th edition(1). Dietary ED (kcal/g) was calculated using food only excluding all beverages (1.97 kcal/g). Participants were separated by tertiles of dietary ED (kcal/g) into low (<1.83), medium (1.83–2.11) and high (>2.11). Mean daily intakes (MDI) of energy, macronutrients as percent total energy (%TE), dietary fibre (DF) (g/10 MJ) and food group intakes as %TE, are reported across groups of dietary ED.
Macronutrient and food group intakes positively associated with high ED diets are fat and saturated fat, white bread, processed potato products, carbonated beverages and confectionery. Macronutrient and food group intakes positively associated with low ED diets are carbohydrates and protein, wholemeal and brown bread, potatoes, fruit and vegetables.
The project was funded by the Irish Government under the National Development Plan 2000–2006.
