QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (Publish Ahead of Print[PDF]) All Versions of this Article: 139/3/576    most recent jn.108.096685v1 Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Tucker, L. A. Articles by Thomas, K. S. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Tucker, L. A. Articles by Thomas, K. S.

---

Nutritional Epidemiology

Increasing Total Fiber Intake Reduces Risk of Weight and Fat Gains in Women^1,2

Brigham Young University College of Health and Human Performance, Provo, UT 84602

Research investigating fiber intake and changes in weight over time has not controlled for important covariates, especially physical activity. Moreover, studies have rarely examined the influence of fiber on changes in body fat, only weight. Hence, this study was conducted to determine whether changes in fiber intake (total, soluble, and insoluble) influence risk of gaining weight and body fat over time. Another objective was to examine the influence of age, energy intake, activity, season, and other potential confounders. A prospective cohort design was used and 252 women completed baseline and follow-up assessments 20 mo apart. Diet was measured using 7-d weighed food records. Fiber was expressed per 1000 kcal (4187 kJ). Body fat was assessed via the Bod Pod and physical activity was measured using accelerometers over 7 consecutive days. Across the 20 mo, almost 50% of the women gained weight and fat. For each 1 g increase in total fiber consumed, weight decreased by 0.25 kg (P = 0.0061) and fat decreased by 0.25 percentage point (P = 0.0052). Controlling for potential confounders did not affect the relationships, except changes in energy intake, which weakened the associations by 24–32%. Soluble and insoluble fibers were borderline predictors of changes in weight and fat. In conclusion, increasing dietary fiber significantly reduces the risk of gaining weight and fat in women, independent of several potential confounders, including physical activity, dietary fat intake, and others. Fiber's influence seems to occur primarily through reducing energy intake over time.

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: tucker{at}byu.edu.

Manuscript received 23 July 2008. Initial review completed 25 August 2008. Revision accepted 30 December 2008.