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were averaged, and children were categorized into three age groups: 3 to 5 years (n ϭ 1077), 6 to 11 years (n ϭ 537), and 12 to 19 years (n ϭ 381). Physiologically implausible reports due to reporting bias or abnormal intake (rEI outside Ϯ18% to 23% of predicted energy requirements; pER) were identified. Results: rEI averaged 109 Ϯ 34% and 100 Ϯ 10% of pER in the total and plausible samples, respectively. EI was overreported more in younger children and underreported more in overweight older children. Children with plausible rEI (45.3% of sample) averaged 4.7 eating occasions/d, 589 kcal/meal, 223 kcal/snack, and 2038 kcal/d. rEI was not associated with BMI percentile in the total sample. In the plausible sample, rEI, meal portion size, and meal energy were positively associated with BMI percentile in boys 6 to 11 years and in children 12 to 19 years. No relationships were found in children 3 to 5 years and girls 6 to 11 years. Relationships were more consistent and stronger in the plausible compared with the total sample. Discussion: Excluding implausible dietary reports may be necessary for discerning dietary associations with BMI percentile. EI and meal, but not snack, patterns may play a quantitatively greater role in weight regulation as children age.

Objective: To compare relative associations of eating patterns and dietary composition with body mass index (BMI) in younger (aged 20-59 years, n ¼ 1792) and older (aged 60-90 years, n ¼ 893) participants in the Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals, collected 1994Individuals, collected -1996. Methods: Data from two 24-h dietary recalls from individuals reporting physiologically plausible energy intake (within 722% of predicted energy requirements, based on previously published methods) were used. Results: Mean reported energy intake was 96 and 95% of predicted energy requirements in younger and older subjects, respectively. Older subjects were less likely than younger subjects to skip a meal, but snacking was common in both age groups. Fiber density was significantly higher in the older group. A higher BMI in both age groups was associated with a higher total daily energy intake, and higher energy intakes at all eating occasions. In both age groups, eating frequency was positively associated with energy intake, and eating more than three times a day was associated with being overweight or obese. In the younger group but not the older group, a lower fiber density coupled with higher percentage of energy from fat was independently associated with having a higher BMI. Conclusions: While no one eating occasion contributes more than any other to excess adiposity, eating more often than three times a day may play a role in overweight and obesity in both younger and older persons. A reduced satiety response to dietary fiber in addition to lower energy expenditure may potentially further contribute to weight gain in older persons.

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