[The influence of dietary factors on weight change estimated by the use of multivariate graphical models]

The aim of the present study was to analyse the influence of dietary factors on weight change in a multifactorial context by use of graphical models. A random sample of 2304 Danish men and women, aged 30, 40, 50, and 60 years, living in Copenhagen County underwent a general health examination, and their BMI was calculated. They all completed questionnaires regarding education, life conditions, life habits, and dietary intake at entry. At follow-up five years later BMI was also calculated. BMI at entry depended on family predisposition to obesity, and for women, on cohabitation as well. At follow-up five years later BMI in the male group was only related to former BMI, whereas in the female group it was influenced by parity as well: No association was found between total energy intake, percentage of energy from fat or from alcohol and weight changes. No influence of other putative determining factors was found for either gender. We conclude, that although the graphical model detected several relations between diet, habits, and social factors, no influence of dietary factors on weight changes were found by use of multifactorial graphical models.