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Increased Eating Frequency Is Associated with Lower Obesity Risk, But Higher Energy Intake in Adults: A Meta-Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Yue-Qiao Wang

    (Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, 185 East Lake Road, Wuhan 430071, China)

  • Yun-Quan Zhang

    (Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, 185 East Lake Road, Wuhan 430071, China)

  • Fei Zhang

    (Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, 185 East Lake Road, Wuhan 430071, China)

  • Yi-Wen Zhang

    (Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, 185 East Lake Road, Wuhan 430071, China)

  • Rui Li

    (Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, 185 East Lake Road, Wuhan 430071, China)

  • Guo-Xun Chen

    (Department of Nutrition, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, 1215 West Cumberland Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA)

Abstract

Body weight is regulated by energy intake which occurs several times a day in humans. In this meta-analysis, we evaluated whether eating frequency (EF) is associated with obesity risk and energy intake in adults without any dietary restriction. Experimental and observational studies published before July 2015 were selected through English-language literature searches in several databases. These studies reported the association between EF and obesity risk (odd ratios, ORs) in adults who were not in dietary restriction. R software was used to perform statistical analyses. Ten cross-sectional studies, consisting of 65,742 participants, were included in this analysis. ORs were considered as effect size for the analysis about the effect of EF on obesity risk. Results showed that the increase of EF was associated with 0.83 time lower odds of obesity ( i.e. , OR = 0.83, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.70–0.99, p = 0.040). Analysis about the effect of EF on differences in participants’ energy intake revealed that increased EF was associated with higher energy intake (β = 125.36, 95% CI 21.76–228.97, p = 0.017). We conclude that increased EF may lead to lower obesity risk but higher energy intake. Clinical trials are warranted to confirm these results and to assess the clinical practice applicability.

Suggested Citation

  • Yue-Qiao Wang & Yun-Quan Zhang & Fei Zhang & Yi-Wen Zhang & Rui Li & Guo-Xun Chen, 2016. "Increased Eating Frequency Is Associated with Lower Obesity Risk, But Higher Energy Intake in Adults: A Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-16, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:13:y:2016:i:6:p:603-:d:72264
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Young, L.R. & Nestle, M., 2002. "The contribution of expanding portion sizes to the US obesity epidemic," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 92(2), pages 246-249.
    2. Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, 1995. "The Healthy Eating index," CNPP Reports 311249, United States Department of Agriculture, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion.
    3. Alessandro Liberati & Douglas G Altman & Jennifer Tetzlaff & Cynthia Mulrow & Peter C Gøtzsche & John P A Ioannidis & Mike Clarke & P J Devereaux & Jos Kleijnen & David Moher, 2009. "The PRISMA Statement for Reporting Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of Studies That Evaluate Health Care Interventions: Explanation and Elaboration," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(7), pages 1-28, July.
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    1. Martha Cecilia Yépez García & Marianella Herrera-Cuenca & Gerson Ferrari & Lilia Yadira Cortés Sanabria & Pablo Hernández & Rafaela Yépez Almeida & Mónica Villar Cáceres & Georgina Gómez & Rossina Par, 2022. "Energy Imbalance Gap, Anthropometric Measures, Lifestyle, and Sociodemographic Correlates in Latin American Adults—Results from the ELANS Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-17, January.

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