Frequency of eating occasions and weight change in the NHANES I Epidemiologic Follow-up Study.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association of frequency of eating occasions with prospective, and retrospective weight change.

DESIGN

Data from the NHANES I (1971-75) Epidemiologic Follow-up Study (NHEFS, 1982-84) (n = 7147) was used. Weight change was defined as the difference between the weight measured at follow-up in 1982-84 and the weight measured at baseline in 1971-75. Baseline frequency of eating occasions was estimated by summation of actual times at which food was reported consumed in a 24-h dietary recall. Follow-up frequency of eating was estimated from subject responses at follow-up to number of meals and snacks consumed daily.

RESULTS

Men and women reported (mean +/- s.e.) baseline frequency of 5.3 +/- 0.06 and 4.9 +/- 0.03 eating occasions, respectively. Frequency of eating occasions at follow-up was 3.6 +/- 0.02 occasions in both men and women. Baseline body mass index and frequency of eating were inversely related in multivariate regression analyses in both men and women (P < 0.02). Regression analyses adjusted for multiple covariates showed no association between weight change and frequency of eating at baseline or follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Baseline frequency and subsequent weight change or follow-up frequency and preceding weight change were unrelated in the NHEFS cohort.