Adherence to Healthy Eating Index-2015 and Obesity among Iranian Adults: Yazd Health Study-TAMYZ and Shahedieh Cohort Study

Abstract

Objective Data demonstrated a relationship between obesity and increasing the risk of mortality and morbidity of chronic diseases. Inconsistent data regarding the association between adherence of Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015) and obesity is identified. Thus, this study intends to address this relationship among a large sample of both urban and suburb areas of Iranian adults. Methods This cross-sectional study was performed on data of 10693 participants including Shahedieh cohort study (n = 3943) and TAghzieh Mardom-e-Yazd (TAMYZ) which was conducted on Yazd Health Study participants, (n = 6750) living in urban and suburb areas. Dietary intake was assessed by using a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). In all participants, anthropometric indices including body mass index were measured. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was utilized to assess the relationship of HEI-2015 with obesity. Results No significant association was found between adherence to the HEI-2015 diet and odds of general and central obesity. Conclusion Our findings showed adherence to HEI-2015 might have no protective effect on odds of general obesity. Also, in suburb region and whole population of both urban and suburb regions greater compliance of men to HEI-2015 diet might have a positive effect on odds of central obesity. Moreover, in suburb area participants in the highest quintile significantly were smoker and had higher level of SES. Finally, the casual effect of HEI-2015 on obesity needs to be investigated further in prospective studies and among different populations.