Physiologic and Behavioral Correlates of Energy Intake in Emerging Adulthood: Cross-Sectional Analysis of the RIGHT Track Health Study

Jessica McNeil; Hannah R Koch; Jessica M Dollar; Lenka H Shriver; Susan P Keane; Lilly Shanahan; Laurie Wideman

doi:10.1016/j.tjnut.2022.11.011

Physiologic and Behavioral Correlates of Energy Intake in Emerging Adulthood: Cross-Sectional Analysis of the RIGHT Track Health Study

J Nutr. 2023 Jan;153(1):88-95. doi: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2022.11.011. Epub 2022 Dec 21.

Authors

Jessica McNeil¹, Hannah R Koch², Jessica M Dollar³, Lenka H Shriver⁴, Susan P Keane⁵, Lilly Shanahan⁶, Laurie Wideman²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Kinesiology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA. Electronic address: jnmcneil2@uncg.edu.
² Department of Kinesiology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA.
³ Department of Kinesiology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA; Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA.
⁴ Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA.
⁵ Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA.
⁶ Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.

Abstract

Background: Consistent findings have reported that FFM is associated with EI. However, conjoint assessments of physiologic (body composition, fasting serum leptin) and behavioral [eating behaviors and physical activity (PA)] correlates of EI during emerging adulthood have not been examined.

Objectives: We assessed associations between physiologic and behavioral correlates of EI within the context of one another in emerging adults (18-28 years old). We also assessed these associations in a subsample after the removal of probable EI underreporters.

Methods: Cross-sectional data from 244 emerging adults (age = 19.6 ± 1.4 y; BMI = 26.4 ± 6.6 kg/m²; 56.6% female) from the RIGHT Track Health study were used. Measures included body composition (BOD POD), eating behaviors (Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire), objective and subjective PA (accelerometer-derived total activity counts and Godin-Shephard Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire), fasting serum leptin, and EI (three 24-hour dietary recalls). Correlates independently associated with EI were entered into a backward stepwise linear regression model. Correlates that met the criteria of P < 0.05 were retained. Analyses were repeated in a subsample after removing probable EI underreporters (n = 48). Effect modification by sex (male and female) and BMI (BMI < 25 kg/m², BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²) categories was also assessed.

Results: In the full sample, FFM (β: 18.4; 95% CI: 9.9, 26.8), leptin (β: -84.8; 95% CI: -154.3, -15.4), dietary restraint (β: -35.2; 95% CI: -59.1, -11.3), and subjective PA (β: 2.5; 95% CI: 0.04, 4.9) were significantly associated with EI. After the removal of probable underreporters, only FFM remained significantly associated with EI (β: 43.9; 95% CI: 27.2, 60.6). No evidence of effect modification by sex or BMI categories was noted.

Conclusions: Although physiologic and behavioral correlates were associated with EI in the full sample, only FFM remained a robust correlate of EI in a subsample of emerging adults after removing probable EI underreporters.

Keywords: eating behaviors; emerging adulthood; energy intake; fat-free mass; leptin.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Body Mass Index
Cross-Sectional Studies
Diet
Energy Intake* / physiology
Feeding Behavior / physiology
Female
Humans
Leptin*
Male
Young Adult

Substances

Leptin

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances

Grants and funding