LAUSR

Objective: To study the association of meal patterns and timing with central obesity to identify the best dietary strategies to deal with the increasing obesity prevalence. Design: A cross-sectional study performed on data from a representative sample of the Spanish population. Height and waist circumference were measured using standardized procedures and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) was calculated. The sample was divided into those without central obesity (WHtR< 0·5) and those with central obesity (WHtR≥ 0·5). Setting: ANIBES (‘Anthropometric data, macronutrients and micronutrients intake, practice of physical activity, socioeconomic data and lifestyles in Spain’) Study. Subjects: Adults aged 18–64 years (n 1655; 798 men and 857 women). Results: A higher percentage of people ate more than four meals daily in the group without central obesity and those with central obesity more frequently skipped the mid-afternoon snack than those without. Breakfasts containing >25% of total energy intake and lunches containing >35% of total energy intake were associated with increased likelihood of central obesity (OR= 1·874, 95% CI 1·019, 3·448; P< 0·05 and OR= 1·693, 95% CI 1·264, 2·268; P< 0·001, respectively). On the contrary, mid-morning snacks and mid-afternoon snacks containing >15% of total energy were associated with decreased likelihood of central obesity (OR= 0·477, 95% CI 0·313, 0·727; P< 0·001 and OR= 0·650, 95% CI 0·453, 0·932; P< 0·05, respectively). The variety of cereals, wholegrain cereals and dairy was higher in the population without central obesity. Conclusions: Our results suggest that ‘what and when we eat’ should be considered dietary strategies to reduce central obesity.