Dietary factors affecting weight gain in midlife women

Abstract

Weight gain at midlife increases risk of chronic diseases and physical dysfunction in later life. The purpose of this study was to determine how dietary intake and weight maintenance strategies affected weight gain over 24 months among a sample of midlife women (40–60 years) in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area. Baseline and 24‐month weight and 3‐day dietary intake data (Nutrition Data System for Research protocol) were used from women in an untreated control group (n=104) as part of a larger intervention study. Use of weight maintenance strategies was assessed retrospectively at 24 months. Women were divided into 2 groups according to weight change over 24 months (loss/maintain ≤ 0 kg (n=45) and gain >;0 kg) (n=59). Mean baseline BMI was 27.3 ± 5.5 with the gain group having significantly higher BMI at 24 months (p<0.0001). The gain group significantly increased intakes of energy, total fat, saturated and unsaturated fat over 24 months compared to the loss/maintain group. However, no significant differences were observed in change in most other nutrients or food group intakes between groups. Dietary restraint and use of various weight maintenance strategies also did not differ between groups. Differences in energy and fat intakes between groups were not reflected in changes in food group intakes or reported use of weight maintenance strategies. Research support: USDA NRI 2007