title: Effects of energy-dense nutrient-poor snacks on the incidence of metabolic syndrome: a prospective approach in Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Increased consumption of energy-dense, nutrient-poor snacks is one of the major, growing concerns in relation to the alarming trend of overweight, obesity, and metabolic disorders worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate whether consumption of energy-dense snacks could affect the occurrence of metabolic syndrome after 3 y of follow-up in adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  This longitudinal study was conducted within the framework of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study between 2006 and 2008 and 2009 and 2011, on 1466 adults, ages 19 to 70 y. The usual intake of participants was measured using a validated semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire at baseline. Biochemical and anthropometric measurements were assessed at baseline and 3 y later. Multiple logistic regression models were used to estimate the occurrence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in each quartile of energy-dense snacks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants in the highest quartile of energy-dense snack consumption were significantly younger (33.8 versus 43.1 y; P < 0.01). There were non-significant increased risks for MetS in the highest quartile of biscuits and cakes (odds ratio [OR], 1.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.77-1.66), and candies and chocolates (OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 0.88-1.94). The risk for MetS in participants with highest consumption of salty snacks increased more than 50% (OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.01-2.40). Consumption of soft drinks had a borderline effect on the risk for MetS. More than 361 kcal/d from total energy-dense snacks independently increased the occurrence of MetS in the fourth compared the first quartile category (OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.03-2.29).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of this study demonstrated that higher consumption of energy-dense snacks could be a dietary risk factor for development of MetS.
authors: Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Parvin
authors: P
authors: Mirmiran
authors: Obesity Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Zahra
authors: Z
authors: Bahadoran
authors: Obesity Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Hossein
authors: H
authors: Delshad
authors: Endocrine Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: Azizi@endocrine.ac.ir.
authors: Fereidoun
authors: F
authors: Azizi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D004032:Diet; D004034:Diet Surveys; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008055:Lipids; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009753:Nutritive Value; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D062410:Snacks; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids; D005947:Glucose
keywords: Abdominal obesity; Dyslipidemia; Energy-dense snacks; Hypertension; Insulin resistance; Metabolic syndrome