Relationships between eating quickly and weight gain in Japanese university students: A longitudinal study

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Abstract
Objective Many cross‐sectional studies have reported a relationship between overweight/obesity and eating quickly, but there have been few longitudinal studies to address this relationship in younger populations. The purpose of this prospective longitudinal study was to investigate whether eating quickly was related to being overweight in Japanese university students. Methods Of 1,396 students who underwent a general examination and completed questionnaires at the start of university and before graduation, 1,314 students (676 male and 638 female) of normal body composition [body mass index (BMI) < 25 kg m−2] at baseline were included in the analysis. The questionnaires included speed of eating and other lifestyle factors. After a 3‐year follow‐up, the students whose BMIs were ≥ 25 kg m−2 were defined as overweight. Results In this study, 38 participants (2.9%) became overweight. In the logistic regression analysis, the risk of being overweight was increased in males [adjusted odds ratio (OR): 2.77; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.33‐5.79; P < 0.01] and in those who ate quickly at baseline (OR: 4.40; 95% CI: 2.22‐8.75; P < 0.001). Conclusions Eating quickly may predict risk of being overweight in Japanese university students.
Funding Information
  • Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Tokyo, Japan (23593089)

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