A PROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FISH INTAKE AND CENTRAL ADIPOSITY

Abstract

Accumulation of visceral adipose tissue, or central adiposity, increases prevalence of many chronic diseases and mortality, this relationship is independent of total of body fat. Central adiposity is commonly defined as having a waist circumference of > 102 cm in men and > 88 cm in women. Increased fish intake may have a beneficial effect on central adiposity. This prospective study examined the longitudinal relationship between fish intake at baseline and central adiposity over time.

Data were drawn from the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI). The sample included 3,033 participants (56.8% women, 83.3% white, M age = 61.4 years). Fish intake (cups/week) was collected at baseline with a food frequency questionnaire and examined as non-fried fish and fried fish separately. Central adiposity was measured as waist circumference (cm) and assessed at baseline, 24 months and 48 months.

Statistical analyses were carried out using generalized estimating equations (GEE). Associations between fish intake and waist circumference across time were adjusted for age, race, sex, energy intake, smoking status, presence of knee osteoarthritis, clinic assignment, level of physical activity, level of depression, and time between visits.

Non-fried fish intake was negatively associated with waist circumference across time (B = -0.68, p < .001) and fried fish intake was positively associated with waist circumference across time (B = 1.69, p = .003). Additional positive associations with waist circumference were found for age, energy intake, level of depression, and time between visits. A negative association with waist circumference was found for level of physical activity. Smaller waist circumferences were observed in women compared to men and in Hispanic participants compared to white participants. Larger waist circumferences were seen in black participants compared to white participants and in participants who were symptomatic for knee osteoarthritis compared to those without symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. Smoking was not found to be a predictor of waist circumference across time.

These results suggest that dietary recommendations for fish intake should make a distinction between increasing non-fried fish in the diet and avoiding fried fish. Results also suggest that symptomatic knee osteoarthritis has a strong relationship with waist circumference. Health professionals working with osteoarthritis patients should assess and monitor for central adiposity.