Unhealthy Eating Behaviors and Weight Gain: A Prospective Study in Young and Middle-Age Adults

Objective: Guidelines for obesity prevention recommend reducing certain unhealthy eating behaviors (UEB). However, the association between UEB and weight gain is uncertain. Methods: Prospective cohort with 1,638 individuals aged 18-60 years was recruited in 2008-2010. UEB assessed at baseline were: not planning how much to eat, consuming pre-cooked/canned food, buying snacks, eating in fast-food restaurants, not choosing low-calorie foods, not removing visible fat from meat or skin from chicken, and eating while watching TV or seating on a sofa. Participants were followed up through 2012 to assess weight change. Results: Compared to reporting 0-2 UEB, the multivariate odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for gaining >= 3 kg were 0.97 (0.74-1.28) for 3-4 UEB and 1.61 (1.09-2.39) for >= 5 UEB, P-trend = 0.07. Results were similar for gaining >= 5 kg. The three UEB with the strongest associations with weight gain were: 1) not planning the amount of food to eat, 2) eating at fast-food restaurants, and 3) eating while watching TV; compared to having none of these three behaviors, the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for gaining >= 3 kg was 1.54 (0.77-3.08) for 1 UEB, 1.70 (0.85-3.37) for 2 UEB, and 2.75 (1.28-5.90) for 3 UEB, P-trend = 0.007. Similar results were obtained for gaining >= 5 kg. Conclusions: Several UEB are associated with weight gain.