Correlation between dietary intake and obesity risk factors among healthy adults

Summary: Background and aims: Research has investigated and established the role of dietary intake and risk factors for obesity. Due to the impact of changes in the Saudi dietary pattern and an increased consumption of high calorie food on obesity risk among the Saudi population, it is important to investigate the effect of dietary intake and its association with obesity risk. We aimed to investigate correlations between dietary intake and obesity risk factors in healthy Saudi adults. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 60 healthy Saudi participants, which included both men and women (between 18-55 years and BMI between 18-40 kg/m2) from King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The three-days food record method was used to collect dietary information. The data were analyzed using an independent sample t-test and linear regression. Results: Statistically significant differences were found between participants in the obese and non-obese groups regarding several B vitamins and omega-3 intake (P < 0.01). Compared to the group with high consumption of omega-3, the low consumption group showed 5.7 [2.4 to 8.9; 95% confidence interval (CI)] - and 20.5 (5.4–35.6; 95% CI)-times increased risk of higher body mass index and waist circumference, respectively. Conclusion: Our findings indicated that a low intake of omega-3 is associated with increased obesity risk.