# Eating patterns in relation to anthropometrics and blood pressure among adults with overweight and obesity – a cross-sectional study

## TL;DR

This study explores eating patterns among overweight and obese adults and finds no link between these patterns and body weight or blood pressure after accounting for age and sex.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into eating patterns among overweight and obese individuals and their lack of association with key health metrics.

## Key findings

- Older participants were more likely to eat two prepared meals and rate their eating habits as 'good' compared to younger participants.
- Women reported more eating occasions and snacks per day than men.
- No significant associations were found between eating patterns and BMI, waist circumference, or blood pressure after adjusting for age and sex.

## Abstract

This study aimed to describe eating patterns among individuals with overweight and obesity and to investigate associations between eating patterns and anthropometric measures, including body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference, and blood pressure.

This study enrolled a cohort of adults with overweight or obesity (n = 176) participating in a clinical trial focused on weight reduction. Self-reported eating patterns were assessed as part of the trial’s baseline survey. Trained study nurses conducted measurements of anthropometric indicators and blood pressure. To examine associations, statistical analyses included the application of the Mann-Whitney U-test, Fisher’s exact test, the chi-squared test, and linear regression models as appropriate.

The median age of the participants was 55 years (interquartile range [IQR] 12), 79% were female, and the median BMI was 33 kg/m2 (IQR 5). The predominant eating pattern identified was characterized by five meals per day, including breakfast, two prepared meals, and two snacks. Among older participants (≥ 55 years), 51% reported eating two prepared meals per day as compared to 75% among the younger (P <> 0.05). A higher percentage of older participants reported consuming more than one snack per day (82% vs. 68%, P = 0.04). Additionally, older participants were more likely to rate their eating habits as ‘good’ compared to their younger counterparts (64% vs. 52%, P = 0.03). Women reported a higher number of eating occasions than men (> 3/day: 93% vs. 78%, P = 0.01) and a higher frequency of snacks (> 1 snack/day: 79% vs. 61%, P = 0.03). No significant associations between the number of eating occasions or number of snacks and BMI, waist circumference, or blood pressure (systolic and/or diastolic) were found in regression models when age and sex were considered.

Varying eating patterns were observed among adults with overweight and obesity according to age and sex. No association between eating patterns and anthropometric measures or blood pressure independent of age and sex was found.