Waist-to-hip ratio and dietary factors in adults

OBJECTIVES: To assess the association between diet factors and abdominal fat accumulation. METHODS: A household survey carried out in the city of Rio de Janeiro during 1995-1996. The usual diet of a sample of 2,441 individuals (42.8% men and 57.2% women), aged 20 to 60 years, was investigated using a food frequency questionnaire and data about height, weight, waist and hip perimeter was collected. The cut-off points for inadequate waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) for men and women were 0.95 and 0.80, respectively. RESULTS: Inadequate WHR was positively associated with age, cigarette smoking, body mass index, and inversely associated with education level, income and leisure physical activity in both men and women (p<0.05). Inadequate WHR was not associated with lipids, carbohydrates and total fiber intake. Positive association was found with inadequate WHR and spirits consumption among menopause women (p<0.001), and the consumption of four or more glasses of beer per day in men (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: In agreement with other studies, alcohol intake was associated with abdominal fat accumulation.