A high carbohydrate-to-fiber ratio is associated with a low diet quality and high fat mass in young women

Abstract

Regular intake of dietary fiber is critical for adequate metabolic health and the prevention of obesity. The relevancy of fiber intake is well illustrated by accounting for the ratio of carbohydrates-to-fiber (CFR). However, it is not well known if the CFR is associated with body composition and the quality of diet in young women who are known to have a higher incidence of eating disorders related to restrictive carbohydrate diets. The purpose of this study was to explore the difference in body composition and the quality of diet in women with a low and high CFR. A total of 22 participants were clustered into two groups (group 1 – below the median CFR and group 2 – above the median CFR). Body composition was analyzed via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Dietary analysis via a 3-day food log was conducted to examine the overall energy intake, macronutrient breakdown, and diet quality. One-way ANOVA and Point-biserial analyses were performed to explore group differences and correlations. The mean CFR for Group 1 was 9.23 ± 2.85 and for Group 2 was 20.75 ± 8.71, which was significantly different between the groups F (1,21) = 17.368, p < 0.001. Group 1 (fat mass: 13.07 ± 3.67 kg; body fat percentage: 21.93 ± 5.78%) had a significantly lower fat mass [ F (1,21) = 4.521, p = 0.046] and body fat percentage [ F (1,21) = 7.574, p = 0.012] than Group 2 (fat mass: 16.06 ± 2.89 kg; body fat percentage: 27.59 ± 3.62%). A higher CFR was associated with a higher percentage of carbohydrate intake ( r pb (20) = 0.466, p = 0.029) and a higher percentage of added sugar intake ( r pb (20) = 0.504, p = 0.017). This study confirms the applicability of the CFR as an indicator of diet quality in young women. In addition, the presented differences in body composition suggest that a diet consisting of a low CFR may play a positive role in body composition by maintaining a lower fat mass. • Age had no effect on the carbohydrate-to-fiber ratio. • The carbohydrate-to-fiber ratio is a good measure of diet quality. • A low carbohydrate-to-fiber ratio is associated with reduced fat mass. • A high carbohydrate-to-fiber ratio is associated with a high intake of added sugars.