Original Article
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2009) 63, 229–237; doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602911; published online 19 September 2007
Whole grains and adiposity: little association among British adults
Guarantor: SA Jebb.
Contributors: CWT originated the study, conducted the data analysis and interpretation, and drafted the manuscript. AMS and SAJ developed the study, and contributed to manuscript preparation and data interpretation. All contributors approved the final version of the manuscript.
C W Thane1, A M Stephen1 and S A Jebb1
1MRC Human Nutrition Research, Elsie Widdowson Laboratory, Cambridge, UK
Correspondence: CW Thane, MRC Human Nutrition Research, Elsie Widdowson Laboratory, 120 Fulbourn Road, Cambridge CB1 9NL, UK. E-mail: christopher.thane@mrc-hnr.cam.ac.uk.
Received 8 February 2007; Revised 30 April 2007; Accepted 6 August 2007; Published online 19 September 2007.
Abstract
Objectives:
To examine associations of whole-grain intake with body weight and adiposity in two nationally representative samples of British adults.
Subjects/Methods:
A total of 2064 adults aged 16–64 years in 1986–1987, 1599 adults aged 19–64 years in 2000–2001. Whole-grain intake (g day-1 and 16-g amounts) was estimated from consumption of all foods with 
10, 25 or 51% whole-grain content, using 7-day weighed dietary records. Body weight, body mass index (BMI) and, in 2000–2001, waist circumference (WC) were measured. BMI and WC were considered as continuous and categorical variables. For each survey, associations of whole-grain intake with body weight and anthropometric indices were examined in men and women separately, before and after adjustment for age, occupational social class, smoking habit, region, season and, in 2000–2001, misreporting.
Results:
In 1986–1987, whole-grain intake was inversely associated with percentage of men classified using BMI as obese (P=0.008, trend), independent of other factors. However, intake was not associated with body weight or prevalence of overweight. No corresponding associations were observed among women. In 2000–2001, whole-grain intake was not associated with body weight, BMI or WC.
Conclusions:
Two national surveys of British adults, with detailed quantitative estimates of whole-grain intake, provide little evidence of an association of whole-grain intake with body weight or measures of adiposity.
Keywords:
whole grains, body mass index, waist circumference, adults, Great Britain
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