Energy expenditure and dietary intake in overweight versus non-overweight Guadeloupian adults.

OBJECTIVE Obesity is the source of many health problems in Guadeloupe. The aim of this study was to describe the relationships between daily energy intake and expenditure, and weight status. METHODS Three consecutive daily recalls for activities and food intake were used to assess energy expenditure and energy intake in 20- to 60-year-old Guadeloupian men and women. RESULTS The absolute daily energy expenditure was correlated to the body weight (r = 0.64, p > 0.001) and to the daily energy intake with more strength in the normal-weight group (r = 0.52, p < 0.001) than in the overweight group (r = 0.26, p < 0.05). In both weight groups, the higher the metabolism was, the larger was the difference between energy intake and energy expenditure. CONCLUSION Under-reporting was probably present in overweight women. However, higher energy intake and expenditure were observed in larger persons who were consequently not identified as less active.