Abstract
The Australian Dietary Guidelines recommended “grain (cereal)” core food group includes both refined and whole grain foods, but excludes those that are discretionary (i.e., cakes). We investigated the association between daily serves from the “grain (cereal)” group and its effect on fibre and adiposity. Data from Australian adults in the 2011–2012 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey were used (n = 9341). Participants were categorised by serves of core grain foods and general linear models were used to investigate the effect of demographic, socioeconomic, and dietary covariates on waist circumference, body mass index (BMI) and fibre intake. Compared to core grain avoiders (0 serves), high consumers (6+ serves/day) were: more likely male and socially advantaged, had a healthier dietary pattern, less likely dieting, overweight or obese, and were at lower risk of metabolic complications. After adjustment for age, sex and energy intake, there was an inverse relationship between core grain serves intake and BMI (p < 0.001), waist circumference (p = 0.001) and a positive relationship with fibre (p < 0.001). Model adjustments for diet and lifestyle factors resulted in a smaller difference in waist circumference (p = 0.006) and BMI (p = 0.006). Core grain serves was significantly associated with higher fibre, but marginally clinically significant for lower adiposity.
Highlights
In 2014, 600 million people worldwide were classified as obese [1], and the number of overweightAustralians has increased dramatically over the last 20 years [2]
Age group and serves of core grain foods were significant factors in all the models, and total energy intake was significant for body mass index (BMI) and fibre consumption but not for waist circumference
Increasing core grain food serves was associated with a smaller waist circumference, lower BMI and higher fibre intake (p < 0.001 for trend), though the zero core grain serves group had a similar waist circumference to the consumers of 6 or more core grain food serves
Summary
In 2014, 600 million people worldwide were classified as obese [1], and the number of overweightAustralians has increased dramatically over the last 20 years [2]. As obesity is largely preventable with adequate diet and physical activity interventions [1,2], we need evidence-based dietary strategies for weight management that are affordable and accessible to populations. One such strategy is the consumption of grain foods. The higher fibre and whole grain foods reduce the risk of weight gain [7,8,9,10,11], and reduce population burden diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity and some cancers [7,8,12,13,14]. Most cross-sectional studies focus on the relationship between whole grain intake and anthropometric measures [11,15,16], rather than all grains, and studies show that the inherent high-fibre content of whole grains may assist with weight
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
