Association between Nutrient Patterns and Changes in Weight and Waist Circumference in Tehranian Adults: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study

The association of nutrient patterns with chronic disease and obesity has been much focused on recently. This study investigated the relation between nutrient patterns with changes in weight and waist circumference.
The study population included 1637 subjects, aged 30-75 years, free of cardiovascular diseases, and cancer, recruited from Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (2005-2008). Participants had complete anthropometric and dietary information and were followed up to the next phase (2008-2011). Dietary intake of 33 nutrients was collected by a valid and reliable food frequency questionnaire and three year changes of weight and waist circumference were documented. Nutrient patterns were obtained using principal component analysis.
Four nutrient patterns were identified. Median and interquartile range (IQR) of weight and waist circumference changes of participants were 1.0 (-1.0–3.0) kilogram and 3.0 (0.0–8.0) centimetres, respectively. The first pattern (high fat dairy and meat), rich in animal protein, saturated fatty acid, cholesterol, vitamin D, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B12, calcium, phosphorous and zinc was associated with higher weight gain 0.258 (0.066–0.449) P for trend=0.009 after adjusting for confounder variables. There were no significant associations for other patterns (fruit and vegetables with dairy, nuts and legumes, and grains and fruits) with changes in weight and waist circumference.
Dietary intakes of nutrient patterns rich in animal source foods are directly associated with higher weight gain.