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/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.

Abbreviations: BMI, body mass index, CI, confidence interval, mm Hg, millimeter of mercury, r, Pearson correlation coefficient

Keywords: Dietary predictors, Fruit and vegetable intake, Humans, Nutritional counseling, Overweight, Weight loss