Title
Energy Imbalance Gap, Anthropometric Measures, Lifestyle, and Sociodemographic Correlates in Latin American Adults—Results from the ELANS Study
Date Issued
01 February 2022
Access level
open access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
García M.C.Y.
Herrera-Cuenca M.
Ferrari G.
Sanabria L.Y.C.
Hernández P.
Almeida R.Y.
Cáceres M.V.
Gómez G.
Rigotti A.
Kovalskys I.
Fisberg M.
Publisher(s)
MDPI
Abstract
Overweight and obesity are often explained by an imbalance between energy intake and expenditure. This, in addition to metabolic effects, makes it difficult to assess the real state of individual energy balance. This study aims to analyze the energy gaps between intake and expenditure in the adult population of Latin America, as well as its relationships with sociodemographic variables and nutrition status, to draw an epidemiological perspective based on the trends observed. The energy imbalance gap was used to this end. The difference between energy intake and expenditure can be applied as a reference to explain whether weight equilibrium can prevent weight gain. Moreover, the energy imbalance gap allows for a better understanding of the design of public health policies. Using data from the Latin American Study of Nutrition and Health, the energy imbalance gap in adult population from eight Latin-American countries was assessed in 5994 subjects aged from 19–65. Usual dietary intake was measured using two non-consecutive 24 h dietary recalls. The sociodemographic questionnaire was supplemented by anthropometric measurements. Physical activity was measured through the long International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Energy expenditure was obtained using the basal metabolic rate. For the overall sample, the mean energy intake was 1939.1 kcal (95% CI: 1926.9; 1951.3), the mean of energy expenditure was 1915.7 kcal (95% CI: 1906.4; 1924.9), and the mean of energy imbalance gap was 23.4 kcal (95% CI: 11.9; 35.0). Results show that energy intake and expenditure were higher in men. Moreover, subjects aged 19–34, of high socioeconomic level, who completed high school, were mestizos and were of normal weight consumed the highest number of calories. Overall, a positive energy imbalance gap was observed. Overweight and obese from Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela showed a significantly lower energy imbalance gap than underweight subjects. These findings confirm the high variability of energy imbalance gap and the accompanying correlates of energy intake and expenditure. Further research is needed to specifically address interventions in low and middle-income countries such as many in Latin America, to help reduce the prevalence of obesity and eradicate undernutrition.
Volume
19
Issue
3
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Estudios urbanos Salud pública, Salud ambiental
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-85122920714
PubMed ID
Source
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
ISSN of the container
16617827
Source funding
Universidad de Costa Rica
Sponsor(s)
The fieldwork and data analysis in ELANS protocol was supported by a scientific grant from the Coca Cola Company (ended in 2016) and by grant and/or support from Instituto Pensi/Hospital Infantil Sabara, International Life Science Institute of Argentina, Universidad de Costa Rica, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Universidad Central de Venezuela/Fundación Bengoa, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, and Instituto de Investigación Nutricional from Perú. The founders have no role in the study design, data collection, analysis, decision to publish or preparation of this manuscript. This study is registered at Clinical Trials #NCT02226627.
Sources of information: Directorio de Producción Científica Scopus