Fruit and vegetable consumption and prospective weight change in participants of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition–Physical Activity, Nutrition, Alcohol, Cessation of Smoking, Eating Out of Home, and Obesity study

10 January 2012

Fruit and vegetable consumption, because of their High fibre and low energy content, may prevent weight gain.

373,803 participants from 10 European countries participating in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition study, were gathered, their diet assessed via questionnaires. Weight was measured at baseline and self-reported at follow-up. Associations between baseline fruit and vegetable intakes (per 100 g/d) and weight change (g/y) after a mean follow-up of 5 y were assessed by using linear mixed-models, with age, sex, total energy intake, and other potential confounders controlled for.

Excluding chronic diseases subjects at baseline and the ones who misreport energy intakes, the study shows that fruit and vegetable intakes were not associated with weight change overall. However, baseline fruit and vegetable intakes were inversely associated with weight change in men and women who quit smoking during follow-up.

A weak positive associations between vegetable intake and weight change was shown in overweight women, former smokers, or high prudent dietary pattern scores.

Higher baseline fruit and vegetable intakes, while maintaining total energy intakes constant, do not substantially influence midterm weight change overall but can help to reduce risk of weight gain in persons who stop smoking.