The empirical evidence concerning the
associations
between
diet,
particularly
fat intake,
and
obesity is inconclusive.
The aim of the present study was to investigate
cross-sectional
associations
between
general
and central adiposity, and dietary and other
socio-demographic
and
behavioural factors
influencing energy balance. Study subjects were
961
women and
596
men
aged
30-75
years
who participated in the Greek segment of the
European Prospective Investigation into Cancer
and Nutrition (EPIC) Study.
General obesity was evaluated by Body Mass Index
(BMI)
and
central
obesity
by Waist to
Hip ratio (WHR) and Waist Circumference (WC).
Dietary intake
was
estimated
through
a
validated semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire
(FFQ)
obtained
at
baseline. Time
weighted occupational and leisure activities, as well as
socio-demographic
and
behavioural
data were assessed through a life-style questionnaire.
The
methodological
issues
related
to
under-reporting and adjustment for energy
intake have been
considered
in depth.
Obesity indices (BMI, WHR, WC) were
initially
regressed,
separately
for
men
and
women,
on energy intake and energy expenditure, after
adjusting
for the
confounding
effects
of
age,
socio-economic status and smoking
habits
and controlling
for dietary
under-reporting.
Results indicated that increasing physical
activity
is less
effective than
decreasing
energy
intake in reducing BMI. WHR and
WC
were
not affected
by
energy
intake,
whilst
energy
expenditure reduced WHR and WC independently
of
BMI.
Obesity indices (BMI, WHR, WC) were
subsequently
regressed
on
nutrient
intake
after
controlling for the confounding effects
of
energy
intake,
energy
expenditure,
age, socio-
economic status and smoking habits, including
and
excluding under-reporters
of energy
intake. Among women, but not men, the
nutrient
more
strongly
positively
associated
to
BMI
was protein and to a lesser extent mono-unsaturated
and total fat intake. WHR
and
WC
do
not seem to be differentially affected
by
energy
equivalent
amounts
of
energy
generating
nutrients.
