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Eating Frequency Is Not Associated with Obesity in Chinese Adults

Author

Listed:
  • Xinge Zhang

    (School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Yueqiao Wang

    (School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Jason S. Brinkley

    (Abt Associates, Durham, NC 27703, USA)

  • Theresa M. Oniffrey

    (Cerus Consulting, LLC, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA)

  • Rui Zhang

    (College of Life Sciences, South-Central University for Nationalities, Wuhan 430074, China)

  • Guoxun Chen

    (Department of Nutrition, the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA)

  • Rui Li

    (School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China)

  • Justin B. Moore

    (Department of Family & Community Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
    Department of Epidemiology & Prevention, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Bowman Gray Center, 475 Vine St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
    Department of Implementation Science, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Bowman Gray Center, 475 Vine St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA)

Abstract

The prevalence of overweight and obesity has been increasing globally. Recent studies suggest that eating frequency (EF) might be a factor influencing the development of overweight and obesity. This study aims to explore the association between eating frequency and obesity in Chinese adults. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Wuhan, China, from March to June 2016. A self-administered questionnaire and 24-h dietary recall were used to collect data on sociodemographic variables, lifestyle factors, nutrition knowledge, and eating frequency. Participants were divided into four groups according to eating frequency and meal timing: traditional time pattern (TTP), traditional time plus late snack pattern (TTLSP), irregular time pattern (ITP), and all-day pattern (ADP). We performed the chi-squared test and multiple logistic regression to assess associations among variables using JMP statistical software version 14.0.0 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Respondents were Chinese adults ( N = 2290; range 29–74 years; 1162 men). Lower education level, higher food budget, and lower nutrition knowledge were associated with higher likelihood of irregular EF patterns (TTLSP, ITP, or ADP). Men, non-smokers, and participants with less physical activity, lower education level, or lower nutrition knowledge were more likely to be obese. Body mass index (BMI) categorization was significantly different among EF pattern groups (χ 2 = 25.40, p = 0.003); however, this association was no longer significant in the regression model after adjustment for age, sex, education, smoking, food budget, nutrition knowledge, and physical activity. Thus, EF is not associated with obesity in Chinese adults.

Suggested Citation

  • Xinge Zhang & Yueqiao Wang & Jason S. Brinkley & Theresa M. Oniffrey & Rui Zhang & Guoxun Chen & Rui Li & Justin B. Moore, 2018. "Eating Frequency Is Not Associated with Obesity in Chinese Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-10, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:11:p:2561-:d:183096
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jun Lv & Wei Chen & Dianjianyi Sun & Shengxu Li & Iona Y Millwood & Margaret Smith & Yu Guo & Zheng Bian & Canqing Yu & Huiyan Zhou & Yunlong Tan & Junshi Chen & Zhengming Chen & Liming Li & China Kad, 2015. "Gender-Specific Association between Tobacco Smoking and Central Obesity among 0.5 Million Chinese People: The China Kadoorie Biobank Study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(4), pages 1-15, April.
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