Changes in whole-grain, bran, and cereal fiber consumption in relation to 8-y weight gain among men.
BACKGROUND
Epidemiologic studies that directly examine changes in whole-grain consumption in relation to weight gain are sparse, and characterization of this association has been obscured by methodologic inconsistencies in the assessment of whole grains.


OBJECTIVE
We aimed to ascertain the associations between changes in new quantitative estimates of whole-grain intake and 8-y weight gain among US men.


METHODS
The study was conducted in a prospective cohort of 27 082 men aged 40-75 y at baseline in 1986. Data on lifestyle factors were obtained periodically by using self-reported questionnaires, and participants measured and reported their body weight in 1986 and 1994.


RESULTS
In multivariate analyses, an increase in whole-grain intake was inversely associated with long-term weight gain (P for trend < 0.0001). A dose-response relation was observed, and for every 40-g/d increment in whole-grain intake from all foods, weight gain was reduced by 0.49 kg. Bran that was added to the diet or obtained from fortified-grain foods further reduced the risk of weight gain (P for trend = 0.01), and, for every 20 g/d increase in intake, weight gain was reduced by 0.36 kg. Changes in cereal and fruit fiber were inversely related to weight gain. No associations were observed between changes in refined-grain or added germ consumption and body weight.


CONCLUSIONS
The increased consumption of whole grains was inversely related to weight gain, and the associations persisted after changes in added bran or fiber intakes were accounted for. This suggests that additional components in whole grains may contribute to favorable metabolic alterations that may reduce long-term weight gain.
Koh-Banerjee
Pauline
P
Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, USA. pkohbane@utmem.edu
Franz
Mary
M
Sampson
Laura
L
Liu
Simin
S
Jacobs
David R
DR
Spiegelman
Donna
D
Willett
Walter
W
Rimm
Eric
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000145:classification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002523:Edible Grain; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014481:United States; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects*