Individuals on a high-calorie-dense diet are likely to experience what outcome?

A high-calorie-dense diet is characterized by foods that provide a large number of calories in a relatively small volume. These foods often have a high content of fats and sugars, which contribute to the increased caloric value without necessarily providing a proportional amount of nutrients.

When individuals consume more calories than their body requires for energy expenditure, the body stores the excess energy as fat. This is the primary reason people on a high-calorie-dense diet are likely to experience weight gain. In many cases, these foods are less nutrient-rich, which means that while calorie intake increases significantly, the intake of essential nutrients may not reach the recommended levels, leading to imbalances and deficiencies despite excess caloric consumption.

Weight loss, increased intake of mineral nutrients, and lower overall calorie intake do not align with the physiological responses to a high-calorie-dense diet, as an increase in caloric intake typically results in weight gain rather than loss.