(21-07-10) Snacking is associated with reduced risk of overweight and reduced abdominal obesity in adolescents:

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
(NHANES) 1999-2004.
Keast DR, Nicklas TA, O'Neil CE.

Food & Nutrition Database Research Inc, Okemos, MI.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Snacking is common in adolescents; however, it is unclear if there
is an association between snacking and overweight or obesity within the context
of the overall diet. OBJECTIVE: This study examined the associations of
snacking with weight status and abdominal obesity in adolescents 12-18 y of age
(n = 5811). DESIGN: We conducted secondary analyses of 24-h diet recalls and
anthropometric data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
(NHANES) 1999-2004. We classified adolescents by frequency of snack consumption
(0, 1, 2, 3, and >/=4 snacks/d) and by the percentage of energy intake from
snacks (0%, <10%, 10-19%, 20-29%, 30-39%, and >/=40%). We classified
adolescents who had a body mass index (BMI) >/=85th percentile of BMI-for-age
as overweight or obese. We defined abdominal obesity as a waist circumference
>/=90th percentile. We determined covariate-adjusted prevalences of overweight
or obesity and abdominal obesity and odds ratios with SUDAAN software (release
9.0.1; Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, NC). RESULTS: Mean
values of all obesity indicators studied were inversely associated with
snacking frequency and percentage of energy from snacks. The prevalence of
overweight or obesity and of abdominal obesity decreased with increased
snacking frequency and with increased percentage of energy from snacks. Odds
ratios (95% CIs) for overweight or obesity and for abdominal obesity ranged
from 0.63 (0.48, 0.85) to 0.40 (0.29, 0.57) and from 0.61 (0.43, 0.86) to 0.36
(0.21, 0.63), respectively, for 2 to >/=4 snacks/d. Reduced risks of overweight
or obesity and abdominal obesity were associated with snacking. CONCLUSION:
Snackers, compared with nonsnackers, were less likely to be overweight or obese
and less likely to have abdominal obesity.

Source: Am J Clin Nutr. 2010 Jun 16. [Epub ahead of print]

News

---

In evidenza

"L'informazione presente nel sito serve a migliorare, e non a sostituire, il rapporto medico-paziente."

Per coloro che hanno problemi di salute si consiglia di consultare sempre il proprio medico curante.