Dietary carbohydrate quality and body weight: a longitudinal investigation with Brazilian undergraduates (CUME STUDY).

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the association between carbohydrate quality and body weight. This longitudinal study included 3,816 participants from the Cohort of Universities of Minas Gerais, Brazil (CUME) Study. Food consumption was assessed at baseline using a food frequency questionnaire. The Carbohydrate Quality Index (CQI) was calculated based on four criteria: fibre intake (g/day), glycemic index, ratio of whole grains, and ratio of solid carbohydrates. Body weight was self-reported for all follow-up waves. A generalised linear mixed model (GLMM) was used. Individuals in the last CQI quintile had lower mean body weight over time (exp(β) = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.93-0.96, p < 0.001). Similar results were found in the components of the CQI, where a higher intake of fibre, whole grains, and complex carbohydrates was associated with a lower mean body weight over time. These findings reinforce the importance of dietary recommendations that prioritise especially the quality of macronutrients consumed.