Dietary Influences on Energy Intake and Obesity
Summary
The global rise in obesity reflects complex interactions between dietary composition, eating behaviour and energy regulation. Increased consumption of energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods, notably sugar-sweetened beverages, ultra-processed products and large portion sizes, drives excess energy intake beyond physiological needs. Macronutrient balance, food structure and palatability influence satiety signals and reward pathways, often overriding homeostatic appetite control. Cultural and socioeconomic factors shape dietary patterns—shifts towards westernised diets high in fats, sugars and refined starches have coincided with increased prevalence of obesity in diverse populations. Understanding how specific dietary components and patterns modulate energy intake is critical to inform interventions, from reformulation and portion control to personalised nutrition and public policy measures, aimed at mitigating obesity and related health burdens worldwide.
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Dietary Influences on Energy Intake and Obesity publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in dietary influences on energy intake and obesity across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Discretionary foods: Energy-dense, nutrient-poor items high in added sugars, saturated fat or salt, consumed beyond core dietary requirements.
Energy density: Amount of energy (kilojoules or kilocalories) per unit weight of food, influencing total energy intake.
Satiety: The feeling of fullness that persists after eating, regulating subsequent energy intake.
Ultra-processed foods: Industrial formulations with minimal whole foods, high in additives and often associated with increased energy intake.
Dietary pattern: The combination and frequency of foods and beverages consumed habitually, reflecting overall diet quality and behaviour.
References
- Consumption of Soft Drinks and Overweight and Obesity Among Adolescents in 107 Countries and Regions. JAMA Network Open (2023).
- Australians’ willingness to change their discretionary food intake: findings from the CSIRO junk food analyser. Frontiers in Public Health (2024).
- Personalised nutrition advice reduces intake of discretionary foods and beverages: findings from the Food4Me randomised controlled trial. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (2021).
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