Whole-grain consumption, dietary fibre intake and body mass index in the Netherlands cohort study

OBJECTIVES: To assess the association of whole-grain and (cereal) fibre intake with body mass index (BMI) and with the risk of being overweight (BMI> or =25) or obese (BMI> or =30 kg m(-2)). SUBJECTS: A total of 2078 men and 2159 women, aged 55-69 years, were included in the analysis, after exclusion of subjects with diagnosed cancer or deceased within 1 year after baseline or with missing dietary information. RESULTS: We found an inverse association between whole-grain consumption and BMI and risk of overweight and obesity in men as well as women. The association in men was stronger than in women; the risk of being obese as compared to normal weight was 10% (95% CI: 2-16%) and 4% (95% CI: 1-7%) lower for each additional gram of (dry) grain consumption in men and women, respectively. Fibre and cereal fibre intake were inversely associated with BMI in men only. Associations were similar after exclusion of likely under- and overreporters of energy. A retrospective analysis of baseline fibre intake and weight gain after the age of 20 years also showed a slight inverse association. CONCLUSIONS: Whole-grain consumption may protect against becoming overweight or obese; however, the cross-sectional design of the study does not allow conclusions about the causality of the association.