title: High intake of fruits and vegetables predicts weight loss in Brazilian overweight adults.
abstract: To determine whether changes in dietary intakes predict weight loss, we studied 80 overweight adults who attended a nutritional counseling program during 6 months of follow-up at a primary health care center in Brazil. Habitual diet was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire at baseline and after 6 months. The mean age (+/-SD) of the participants was 46.5 +/- 9.5 years, and their mean body mass index was 29 +/- 3 kg/m(2) at baseline. After 6 months, the differences in body weight and fruit/vegetable intake were -1.4 +/- 3 kg and +/-109 +/- 320 g daily, respectively. Using multiple linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, changes in walking time, and total energy intake, the increased intake of dietary fiber from fruits/vegetables was associated with a greater weight loss (beta1 [95% confidence interval (CI)] = -0.180 [-0.269, -0.091]) after 6 months of follow-up. Similar results were observed for increased intake of vegetables (beta1 [95% CI] = -0.00497 [-0.008, -0.002]) and fruits (beta1 [95% CI] = -0.00290 [-0.005, -0.001]) as predictors of weight loss. The increase of 100 g/d of vegetables and fruits represented a body weight loss of 500 and 300 g after 6 months, respectively (P < .05). Our findings support the relevance of increased intakes of fruits and vegetables that may help avoid weight gain in overweight adults.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Medicine, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, SP 14049-900, Brazil. daniss@fmrp.usp.br
authors.forename: Daniela Saes
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Sartorelli
authors.forename: Laércio Joel
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Franco
authors.forename: Marly Augusto
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Cardoso
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D004034:Diet Surveys; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005638:Fruit; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050177:Overweight / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014675:Vegetables; D015431:Weight Loss