Abstract
Despite the huge evidence on the link between dietary protein intake and obesity, limited studies have examined the role of individual amino acids in this regard. This study aimed to investigate the association between dietary total and individual BCAAs intake and odds of general and abdominal obesity in a large group of adults. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 8691 adults aged 18-55years in Isfahan, Iran. Dietary BCAAs were assessed using a validated dish-based 106-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (DS-FFQ). Information about weight and waist circumference was collected through a self-reported validated questionnaire. General obesity was defined as body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30kg/m2, and abdominal obesity was defined as waist circumference (WC) ≥ 88cm for women and ≥ 102cm for men. Mean age of study participants was 36.8 ± 8.1years. Prevalence of general obesity was 9.2% in men and 9.7% in women and that of abdominal obesity was 13.3% and 36.2% in men and women, respectively. We found that participants in the top tertile of total BCAAs intake had higher odds of general obesity compared with those in the bottom tertile (OR: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.09-1.84). Such significant association was seen in men (OR: 1.57; 95% CI: 1.05-2.34), but not in women (OR: 1.33; 95% CI: 0.94-1.89) in our stratified analysis. We found no significant association between total BCAAs intake and odds of abdominal obesity. Stratified by sex, no significant association was observed between total BCAAs intake and odds of abdominal obesity [for men: (OR: 1.10; 95% CI: 0.74-1.65) and for women: (OR: 1.08; 95% CI: 0.84-1.38)]. Assessing the association with individual BCAAs, a significant positive association was observed between dietary intake of valine (OR: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.10-1.84), leucine (OR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.10-1.86), and isoleucine (OR: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.09-1.84) with general obesity. We observed no significant association between dietary intake of individual BCAAs intake and odds of abdominal obesity. Dietary BCAAs intake was associated with an increased odds of general obesity, in particular among men. No significant association was observed between dietary BCAAs and abdominal obesity. Level V, descriptive cross-sectional study.
Highlights
Branched-chain amino acids are essential amino acids that are involved in protein synthesis, neurological function, and glucose metabolism [1]
No significant association was observed between dietary BCAAs and abdominal obesity
After controlling for potential confounders, we found that participants in the top tertile of total BCAAs intake had higher odds of general obesity compared with those in the bottom tertile (OR: 1.42; 95% confidence intervals (CIs): 1.09-1.84), such that those in the highest tertile of BCAAs intake had 42% higher odds of general obesity
Summary
Branched-chain amino acids are essential amino acids that are involved in protein synthesis, neurological function, and glucose metabolism [1]. BCAAs and their metabolites can result in insulin resistance and impaired glucose tolerance and eventually increased visceral fat accumulation and obesity [6,7,8]. Newgard et al in a cross-sectional study showed that elevated serum concentrations of BCAAs are associated with obesity and obesity-associated insulin resistance in humans and animals [9]. Due to the high cost of protein sources, people in the Middle-East are more likely to eat eggs and legumes, which are cheaper and good sources of branched-chain amino acids. These amino acids may explain the increased prevalence of obesity and central fat accumulation in this region. Given the limited evidence on the role of these amino acids in obesity this study aimed to investigate the relationship between dietary intake of BCAAs and odds of general and abdominal obesity in a large group of Iranian adults
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