ARS | Publication request: Whole-grain intake and cereal fiber associated with lower abdominal adiposity in older adults

Submitted to: Annual Scientific Meeting NAASO, The Obesity Society
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: July 15, 2007
Publication Date: October 1, 2007
Citation: Mckeown, N.M., Yoshida, M., Shea, K., Booth, S.L., Lichtenstein, A.H., Saltzman, E., Jacques, P. 2007. Whole-grain intake and cereal fiber associated with lower abdominal adiposity in older adults. Annual Scientific Meeting NAASO, The Obesity Society, October 20-24, 2007, New Orleans, LA. 15:A37.

Technical Abstract: In observational studies, higher whole-grain intakes have been associated with lower body mass index (BMI) and less weight gain, which is attributed to the concomitant increase in fiber intake. However, no data exist on the relationship between whole-grain intake and body fat distribution. The aim of this study was to examine the cross-sectional association between whole-grain intake and dietary fiber and body fat distribution among 413 free-living adults (170 men and 243 women; 60-80y; mean BMI, 27.7 kg/m), prior to randomization in a vitamin K supplementation trial. Dietary intake was estimated from the Harvard food frequency questionnaire. Participants were categorized into quartile categories of whole-grain intake (grams/day). Total body fat and abdominal adiposity were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Abdominal adiposity was defined as the percentage of fat in the region of interest between the upper edge of the second lumbar vertebra and the top the iliac crest. Multivariate models were adjusted for sex, age, total energy intake, total fat intake, alcohol intake, physical activity, multivitamin use and smoking status. After adjustment for covariates, whole-grain intake was inversely associated with BMI (kg/m), total body fat (%) and abdominal adiposity (%). Mean values in the lowest and highest quartile category of whole grain intake were 27.3 and 25.5 kg/m for BMI; 34.6 and 31.5% for total body fat; 42.7 and 38.2% for abdominal adiposity, P for trend < 0.01 for all measures of body fat. No significant relationship was observed between total dietary fiber, fruit fiber intake or vegetable fiber intake and measures of body fat. However, cereal fiber intake was inversely associated with BMI (p for trend <0.01), % total body fat (P for trend < 0.01), and % abdominal fat (P for trend <0.01). The relation between dietary intakes and measures of body fat did not differ between men and women. Even among older overweight individuals, higher intakes of whole-grain foods, rich in cereal fiber, were associated with lower overall adiposity and abdominal adiposity.