The Association of Fried Foods Consumption with Constipation and Functional Constipation in Iranian Adults

The linkage between consumption of fried foods and constipation was less studied. We aimed to assess the relationship between fried foods intake with constipation and functional constipation and its components in a large group of Iranian adults.
In this cross-sectional study on 4517 adults, fried foods intake was assessed using an eating-behavior questionnaire. Subjects were classified into four categories based on their fried foods intake: "never", "1-3 times per week", "4-6 times per week" and "every day". The prevalence of functional constipation and its components was defined according to Rome III criteria.
Findings: The prevalence of functional constipation and constipation among study population was 15.3% and 33.5%, respectively. After adjustment for potential confounding factors, individuals who ate 4 to 6 meals of fried foods per week had lower odds ratios for functional constipation (OR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.45-0.99), in comparison to those in the lowest category of fried food intake; more adjustment for dietary fiber intake disappeared this association. However, fried foods intake raised the risk of "sensation of incomplete evacuation" and "fewer than three defecations per week" by 36% (OR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.02-1.79) and 159% (OR: 2.59; 95% CI: 1.00-6.71) in females as well as frequency and severity of these symptoms in whole population.
There was no significant association between fried foods intake and odds ratios for functional constipation. However, fried foods intake raised frequency and severity of some components of functional constipation.