Refined grains intake in high fat, high protein, low carbohydrate and low energy levels subgroups and higher likelihood of abdominal obesity in Chinese population

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between refined grains intake and obesity in China. Refined grain intake was considered in relation to energy intake and at varied levels of macronutrient distribution. A cross-sectional study of 6913 participants was conducted using internet-based dietary questionnaire for Chinese (IDQC). The associations and dose–response relationships between refined grains intake and obesity were investigated using multivariable logistic regression analyses and restricted cubic spline (RCS) models. There was a positive association between refined grains intake and abdominal obesity for all participants (forth quartile OR, 1.313; 95% CI, 1.103–1.760; p < .05) and this association persisted in low energy, low carbohydrate, high fat and high protein level subgroups. A range of favourable refined grains intake was 88–116 g/d (3–4 servings/d), which might decrease the likelihood of obesity for Chinese residents. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Keywords:

• Refined grains
• obesity
• does–response

Acknowledgements

Xiao Ning Ji, Min Huang, Si Han Yao, Yue Qia Qi and Ren Nan Feng contributed equally to this work. Xiao Ning Ji, Ren Nan Feng conceived and designed the study; Si Han Yao, Yan Wang, Xue Mei Wang, Yang Chen, Xiao Yan Wu, Li Yan Liu, Si Han Wang, Meng Zhou and Yong Han He carried out the acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation of data; Ren Nan Feng and Xiao Ning Ji drafted the manuscript; all authors contributed to the writing of the manuscript; Ren Nan Feng, Xiao Ning Ji and Justina Ucheojor Onwuka revised the article for important intellectual content.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The study was supported by the National Natural Science Fund of China [Nos. 81872616]; China Scholarship Council [2017BSZ011594 to JUO]; The Fundamental Research Funds for the Provincial Universities. All the authors expressed thanks to the support of the National Natural Science Fund of China, China Scholarship Council and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Provincial Universities.