A Comprehensive Critical Assessment of Increased Fruit and Vegetable Intake on Weight Loss in Women.

Mark L Dreher,Nikki A Ford

doi:10.3390/nu12071919

Abstract

No previous reviews or meta-analyses have specifically assessed the effects of increased fruit and vegetable (FV) intake on weight loss with a primary focus on women. Several studies show differences between men and women in how increased FV intake affects their weight loss and maintenance, risk of becoming overweight or obese, and the influence of eating speed and frequency on weight control. This analysis provides a comprehensive and visual assessment of the effects of increasing FV intake and long-term weight change from observational studies and weight loss from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in women. Consistent evidence from prospective studies and RCTs shows that increased intake of FV is a chief contributor to weight loss in women. This effect is enhanced with concurrent dietary restriction of high energy density (ED) or high-fat foods. Yet, the type of FV differentially impacts weight loss in women. Whole FV intake may influence weight through a variety of mechanisms including a reduction in eating rate, providing a satisfying, very-low to low energy density, low glycemic load or low-fat content. Also, FV are the primary source of dietary fiber, which can provide additional support for weight loss in women when consumed at adequate levels.

Highlights

Recent data show that US adults consume inadequate levels of fruits and vegetables (FV).Only 12% of adults meet fruit, and 9% meet vegetable recommendations (e.g., 2 cups of fruits/day and2.5 cups of vegetables/day based on the 2000-kcal level or ≥5 servings (≥400 g of total fruit and vegetable (FV)/day)) with consumption lower among men, young adults, and adults with greater poverty [1,2]
FV are the primary source of dietary fiber, which can provide additional support for weight loss in women when consumed at adequate levels
Consistent evidence from prospective studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) shows that increased intake of FV to recommended levels of intake is a chief contributor to successful weight loss in women

Summary

Introduction

Recent data show that US adults consume inadequate levels of fruits and vegetables (FV).Only 12% of adults meet fruit, and 9% meet vegetable recommendations (e.g., 2 cups of fruits/day and2.5 cups of vegetables/day based on the 2000-kcal level or ≥5 servings (≥400 g of total FV/day)) with consumption lower among men, young adults, and adults with greater poverty [1,2]. Eight systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses of observational studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are currently published on the effects of increasing FV intake on long-term weight change or weight loss in men, women, and children [6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13]. These reviews and analyses reached a range of conclusions for the effects of increased FV intake on weight loss, including (1) no discernible effects,

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