A 10‐year longitudinal study on the associations between changes in plant‐based diet indices, anthropometric parameters and blood lipids in a Flemish adult population

Abstract

Aim Plant‐based diets are recommended in the context of environmental sustainability and health. Since not all plant foods can be considered beneficial, a distinction needs to be made between healthful and unhealthful plant foods. The aim of this study was to investigate longitudinal associations between changes in an overall plant‐based diet index, a healthful plant‐based diet index and an unhealthful plant‐based diet index, with changes in anthropometrics and blood lipids as indicators of morphological and metabolic fitness, respectively. Methods A 3‐day dietary record was completed by 650 Flemish adults (420 men, 230 women) in 2002‐2004 and 2012‐2014. Three plant‐based diet indices were calculated based on quintile scores regarding the intake of animal‐ or plant‐based food items. Associations between 10‐year changes in diet indices and changes in anthropometrics and blood lipids were tested using multivariate linear regression. Results Plant‐based diet indices did not differ over time. Using the unadjusted model, few significant associations were found between changes in diet indices and changes in anthropometrics and blood lipids. However, these relationships disappeared after adjusting for confounding. In women, a positive association was found between changes in overall plant‐based diet index and changes in body mass index in the adjusted model. Conclusions Index values did not differ over time and few longitudinal associations were found.

Longitudinal changes in adherence to the portfolio and DASH dietary patterns and cardiometabolic risk factors in the PREDIMED-Plus study

“…This smaller change in the Portfolio diet score over the one-year may result in lack of associations with outcomes. For example, a recent study that assessed 10-year longitudinal changes in plantbased diet indices and anthropometric parameters and blood lipids found that the plant-based diet indices did not change overtime, and as a result, few significant associations were observed with the anthropometrics and blood lipids [59]. The small increase in the Portfolio diet score over the study period may explain some of the lack of associations found with several risk factors compared to the DASH diet score in our study.…”

Associations of plant-based dietary patterns with cardiovascular risk factors in women

“…In a crude model, Waterplas et al found a significant positive association between uPDI and TC level 11 . However, they found no significant associations between plant-based dietary indices and TG, HDL-C, and LDL-C 11 . However, Yokoyama et al reported beneficial effects of plant-based diets on TC, LDL-C, HDL-C 25 .…”

“…In contrast to our results, Waterplas et al reported that higher PDI scores were associated with an increase in BMI in adjusted analyses. 11 Chen et al found that higher PDI was associated with lower BMI, waist circumference, body fat percentage, and fat mass index 24 . In a cross-sectional study by Zamani et al, higher uPDI was associated with a higher risk of obesity, but PDI and hPDI were not 12 .…”

“…Other recent research by Waterplas et al in an adult Flemish population found few significant associations between changes in plant-based dietary indices (over ten years) and changes in anthropometric parameters and blood lipids. 11 Because of differences between dietary components across countries, it is important to assess plant-based diets in different contexts. In Iran, a few studies have examined how plant-based dietary indices are associated with outcomes such as obesity, psychological disorders, sleep problems, gestational diabetes, and inflammatory biomarkers.…”

Global challenges and opportunities for dietitians

“…Glabska et al respond to the growing prevalence of a double burden of malnutrition (overweight/obesity and micronutrient deficiencies) in more industrialised nations, using an FFQ to ascertain consumption of magnesium among Polish women . With the rise in the consumption of plant‐based diets, Waterplus et al use a plant‐based diet index that discerns between healthy and unhealthy sources to monitor changes over a 10‐year period and the impact on blood lipids . Finally, Godois et al look at a particularly time‐poor population—athletes—and describe the use of multi‐pass 24‐hour food recalls to develop a list of foods for an FFQ to explain nutrient variability in Brazilian athletes …”