Carbohydrate nutrition and development of adiposity during adolescence

Bamini Gopinath, Victoria M. Flood, Elena Rochtchina, Louise A. Baur, Jimmy Chun Yu Louie, Wayne T. Smith, Paul Mitchell*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective
To examine the prospective association between glycemic index, glycemic load (GL) of diets and intakes of carbohydrates, sugars, fiber, and the main carbohydrate containing food groups (e.g., soft drinks) with changes in percent body fat, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference among adolescents.

Design and Methods
Students aged 12 at baseline (n = 856) were examined both in 2004‐2005 and 2009‐2011. A semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire was administered. Anthropometric parameters were measured and defined using standardized protocols.

Results
After multivariable adjustment, in girls, each 1‐SD increase in dietary GL was associated with concurrent 0.77 kg/m2 and 1.45 cm increase in BMI and waist circumference, respectively (both P = 0.01). Conversely, each 1‐SD increase in dietary fiber intake was associated with a concurrent 0.44 kg/m2 decrease in mean BMI in girls (P = 0.02) and 1.45 cm decrease in waist circumference in boys (P = 0.002). Girls who consumed soft drinks once or more per day versus those who never/rarely consumed soft drinks, had a 4.45% increase in percent body fat after 5 years (Ptrend = 0.01).

Conclusions
High‐GL foods might adversely influence development of body composition, particularly in girls, whereas fiber‐rich diets could limit excess weight during adolescence.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1884-1890
Number of pages7
JournalObesity
Volume21
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2013
Externally publishedYes

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