Variety of Energy-dense Foods is Not Associated with Body Mass Index but Influences Food Quantity: Evidence from a Cross-sectional Study among Adolescents in Mumbai, India

Background: Over the past three decades, adolescents’ caloric consumption from energy-dense foods (EDF) has increased dramatically, coinciding with rising overweight and obesity rates in this population. Objectives: To investigate the relationship between consuming a variety of energy-dense foods (VEDFs) and body mass index (BMI) in adolescents. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 373 adolescents (13–15 years) from private schools were assessed for food consumption and anthropometric measurements using surveys and food frequency questionnaires. Results: Among participants (mean age 13.4 years), 39.7% were underweight, 46.1% had normal BMI, 9.6% had overweight, and 4.5% had obesity. Adolescents consumed an average of 4 varieties and 10.6 servings of EDF daily. While VEDF was not associated with BMI, it significantly correlated with increased total food consumption. Conclusion: In this adolescent cohort, consumption of VEDF did not directly influence BMI. Longitudinal studies are needed to assess long-term impacts on body composition.