Association of Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Diet with 3-year Changes in Body Mass Index and Risk of Obesity in Adolescents: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study

Considering the incrediblly high incidence of obesity in adolescents, in this study, we have examined the association of DASH diet with 3-year body mass index change and risk of obesity in Tehranian adolescents.
This population based cohort study included 629 adolescents (aged 10 to 18 years) from the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS). Dietary data were collected using a valid and reliable food-frequency questionnaire. Anthropometric measures were assessed both at baseline and end of follow up. In adolescents, obesity was defined as body mass index ≥ 95th percentile for age and sex according to national reference curves.
Mean±SD for age and DASH score at baseline were 14.1±2.5 years and 24.1±4.2, respectively. Also, the mean±SD of body mass index gain and risk of incident obesity was 1.7±2.6 kg/m2 and 12% after 3 years follow up, respectively. After adjustment for potential confounding variables, higher DASH diet score and lower dietary intakes of sweet beverage were inversely associated with 3-year changes in body mass index (P A DASH- style dietary pattern is associated inversely with 3-year body mass index changes and risk of incident obesity in adolescents.