The Fruit Intake-Adiposity Paradox: Findings from a Peruvian Cross-Sectional Study

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Epidemiology
• Public Health
• Obesity Research

Background:

• Rising global obesity rates necessitate understanding lifestyle factors like fruit consumption.
• Controversies exist regarding fruit's role in obesity mitigation, prompting further investigation.
• Healthy lifestyle promotion emphasizes fruit intake, but its impact on adiposity requires clarification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the association between fruit intake and body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC).
• To investigate the differential effects of fruit in various forms (portion, salad, juice) on adiposity markers.
• To provide evidence for Peruvian population health strategies regarding fruit consumption and obesity.

Main Methods:

• Analytical cross-sectional study utilizing secondary data from the 2019-2021 Demographic and Health Survey of Peru.
• Inclusion of 98,741 subjects, with body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) as outcome variables.
• Generalized linear models (Gaussian family, identity link) used to assess associations between fruit intake (portion, salad, juice) and adiposity.

Main Results:

• Each serving of fruit intake was associated with a decrease in BMI (-0.15 kg/m²) and WC (-0.40 cm).
• Fruit salad intake showed a negative association with waist circumference (WC) (-0.28 cm), but not BMI.
• Fruit juice consumption was positively associated with increased BMI (+0.27 kg/m²) and WC (+0.40 cm).

Conclusions:

• Whole fruit intake (per serving and as salad) is negatively associated with general and central adiposity.
• Fruit juice consumption is positively associated with increased body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC).
• Dietary recommendations should differentiate between whole fruit and fruit juice for effective obesity management.