[Spicy food intake increases the risk of overweight and obesity]

To explore the relationship between spicy food intake and overweight or obesity in the population, and provide theoretical basis for dietary prevention of obesity.

The data of this study was collected from the cross-sectional population of China Kadoorie Biobank(CKB) in Harbin from 2004 to 2008. A cluster random sampling method was used to select 57 555 subjects aged 30-79(23 254 males and 34 301 females). Demographic information and habits information such as smoking and drinking were obtained by face-to-face questionnaires. Food frequency questionnaires were used to obtain information on various foods including spicy food intake. Physical examination was used to obtain indicators of height and weight. Logistic regression method was used to analyze the influence of spicy food intake and its interaction with predilection for meat/vegetarian diet on the risk of overweight and obesity.

Compared with people who intake spicy foods with low frequency, the risk of overweight and obesity in people with a high frequency of intake spicy foods increased by 29%(OR=1.285, 95%CI 1.251-1.319, P<0.001) in males and 33%(OR=1.329, 95%CI 1.294-1.364, P<0.001) in females. Compared with the people who intake spicy food with a slightly intensity, the risk of overweight and obesity in males and females with a extremely intensity of intake spicy foods increased by 20%(OR=1.198, 95%CI 1.137-1.259, P=0.011) and 19%(OR=1.194, 95%CI 1.141-1.247, P=0.003), respectively. In the male population, the risk of overweight and obesity was the highest among those who preferred meat and had high frequency and degree of spicy food intake. There was an interaction between meat/vegetarian preference and spicy food intake(P<0.001).

Intake spicy food can increase the risk of overweight and obesity, while reducing the intake of spicy foods and meats can be more effective in prevent overweight and obesity.