Fruit, Veggies and Weight

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High intake of fruits and vegetables

predicts weight loss in Brazilian overweight adults

Pages 233-238

a Saes Sartorelli, Laércio Franco, Marly Augusto Cardoso

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/m2 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 (β1

[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 (β1 [95% CI] =

−0.00497 [−0.008, −0.002]) and fruits (β1

[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.