September

September 2002 Highlights from the Journal of the American Dietetic Association

Figure out your future figure:
New study in Journal of the American Dietetic Association predicts weight gain

September 1, 2002

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CHICAGO -- Do you wonder what size jeans you'll be wearing in 10 years? Results of a new study in the September issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association say you can predict the amount of weight you will gain in the next decade based on the foods you eat now.

Researchers from Boston University analyzed the dietary patterns of more than 700 women during a 12-year period, categorizing their eating habits into one of five groups: Heart Healthy, Light Eating, Wine and Moderate Eating, High Fat and Empty Calorie. Researchers determined how many women became overweight in relation to their dietary pattern.

Women in the Heart Healthy group -- those who ate more servings of nutrient-dense fruits, vegetables and lean foods - were least likely to become overweight (24 percent). Their diets were lower in fat, saturated fat and cholesterol and higher in carbohydrate and fiber.

"This eating plan most closely follows the Food Guide Pyramid and is known to promote lifelong health," said Tampa-based registered dietitian and ADA spokesperson Cynthia Sass. "It is effective for the prevention and treatment of obesity as well as other nutrition-related diseases.

"While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to healthful eating, this study clearly indicates that what you eat now can have a big impact on your future health status."

Women in the High Fat and Empty Calorie group -- those who consumed higher amounts of animal and vegetable fats, sweets and desserts, meats, sodas and other sweetened beverages -- were at the highest risk for becoming overweight (41 percent).

Women in the Light Eating and Wine and Moderate Eating groups had more moderate eating patterns, according to the study. Women in the Light Eating group had lower calorie intakes but higher fat and saturated fat intakes in comparison to those in the Heart Healthy group. Members of the Light Eating group were most likely to experience chronic weight fluctuation and 30 percent became overweight during the course of the study.

Compared with Heart Healthy eaters, the study showed women who ate an Empty Calorie diet were at higher risk for becoming overweight after adjusting for age, smoking status, physical activity, menopausal status, energy intake, intentional dieting and usual weight patterns. Empty Calorie eaters were more likely to become overweight than Heart Healthy eaters. Also, women who ate an Empty Calorie diet were younger and more likely to smoke.

"By identifying a link between eating patterns and the risk of becoming overweight, this study is more evidence that individuals need to pay attention to their overall dietary pattern and develop an effective weight-control strategy," said Sass. "This study supports the fact that consuming a variety of foods and using the Food Guide Pyramid can be a successful tool for healthful eating."

The Journal of the American Dietetic Association is the official research publication of the American Dietetic Association and is the premier peer-reviewed journal in the field of dietetics and nutrition. With nearly 70,000 members, the American Dietetic Association is the nation's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Chicago-based ADA serves the public by promoting optimal nutrition, health and well-being. Visit ADA at www.eatright.org.

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