Cohort study of the effects of dietary habit on changes of BMI in middle-aged women

OBJECTIVES: The Lifestyle Study Group of the Life Planning Center developed the "Lifestyle Survey for Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases (LPC Lifestyle Questionnaire) in 1982, and conducted a baseline study (questionnaire survey of lifestyle, physical measurements, blood pressure measurement and blood tests) in two cohorts residing in an agricultural/fishing village and an urban area in 1991. Based on the baseline data of 1991, the present study aimed to elucidate the effect of dietary lifestyle on changes of BMI in a cohort of a total of 173 persons residing in the agricultural/fishing village and the urban area. METHODS: Discriminant analysis was conducted using delta BMI as a dependent variable, and the 1991 scores of six dietary lifestyle scales, age, BMI and region as independent variables. The following results were obtained. RESULTS: 1. When the mean scores of 6 dietary lifestyle scales, age and BMI in the 1991 survey were compared among three sub-groups classified by the changes of BMI, significant intergroup differences were observed in sugar content score (tendency of high intake of snacks and juice), age and BMI. Compared to the -1 < or = delta BMI < +1 and -5 < or = delta BMI < -1 groups, the +1 < or = delta BMI < group had the highest sugar content score and the lowest age within group. BMI was the lowest in the group with -1 < or = delta BMI < +1. 2. When discriminant analysis was conducted using delta BMI as a dependent variable, and the scores of six dietary lifestyle scales, age, BMI in the 1991 survey and region as independent variables, the results showed that sugar content score, cooking initiative score (interest in new dishes and modifying cooking for health), age and BMI were statistically significant for the discrimination. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that even in young subjects with low BMI, if the sugar content score and cooking initiative score are high, there is a high possibility of increased BMI in the future.