Higher-protein diets are associated with higher HDL cholesterol and lower BMI and waist circumference in US adults.
BACKGROUND
Protein intake above the RDA attenuates cardiometabolic risk in overweight and obese adults during weight loss. However, the cardiometabolic consequences of consuming higher-protein diets in free-living adults have not been determined.


OBJECTIVE
This study examined usual protein intake [g/kg body weight (BW)] patterns stratified by weight status and their associations with cardiometabolic risk using data from the NHANES, 2001-2010 (n = 23,876 adults ≥19 y of age).


METHODS
Linear and decile trends for association of usual protein intake with cardiometabolic risk factors including blood pressure, glucose, insulin, cholesterol, and triglycerides were determined with use of models that controlled for age, sex, ethnicity, physical activity, poverty-income ratio, energy intake (kcal/d), carbohydrate (g/kg BW) and total fat (g/kg BW) intake, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference.


RESULTS
Usual protein intake varied across deciles from 0.69 ± 0.004 to 1.51 ± 0.009 g/kg BW (means ± SEs). Usual protein intake was inversely associated with BMI (-0.47 kg/m(2) per decile and -4.54 kg/m(2) per g/kg BW) and waist circumference (-0.53 cm per decile and -2.45 cm per g/kg BW), whereas a positive association was observed between protein intake and HDL cholesterol (0.01 mmol/L per decile and 0.14 mmol/L per g/kg BW, P < 0.00125).


CONCLUSIONS
Americans of all body weights typically consume protein in excess of the RDA. Higher-protein diets are associated with lower BMI and waist circumference and higher HDL cholesterol compared to protein intakes at RDA levels. Our data suggest that Americans who consume dietary protein between 1.0 and 1.5 g/kg BW potentially have a lower risk of developing cardiometabolic disease.
Military Nutrition Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA; stefan.pasiakos@us.army.mil.
Stefan M
SM
Pasiakos
Military Nutrition Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA;
Harris R
HR
Lieberman
Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN; and Nutrition Impact LLC, Battle Creek, MI.
Victor L
VL
Fulgoni
D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014481:United States; D055105:Waist Circumference; D015431:Weight Loss
D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D007328:Insulin; D014280:Triglycerides
NHANES; body mass index; high-density lipoprotein; recommended dietary allowance; waist circumference