Janelas alimentares mais longas estão associadas a um perfil menos favorável de histórico de peso e a maior frequência de estratégias para perda de peso em adultos: estudo com dados do NHANES

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the association between eating window duration, categorized into tertiles, and variables related to weight history obtained from the NHANES weight history questionnaire. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 32,053 adults from the NHANES (2003–2018). Eating window duration was estimated from 24-hour dietary recalls and divided into tertiles (T1: shortest eating window; T2: intermediate eating window; T3: longest eating window). Associations with continuous (weight change over 1 and 10 years, age at maximum weight) and categorical (weight perception, weight loss attempts, bariatric surgery) weight history variables were evaluated. Statistical analyses used linear and logistic regression models, adjusted for confounders and accounting for the complex survey design. Results: Individuals in the longest eating window tertile (T3) showed greater weight reduction in the past year (-0.54 ± 0.13 kg in T3 vs. 0.09 ± 0.10 kg in T1) and less cumulative weight gain over 10 years (3.41 ± 0.21 kg in T3 vs. 4.98 ± 0.21 kg in T1), as well as reaching their maximum weight at an earlier age (24.84 ± 4.10 years in T3 vs. 50.76 ± 8.38 years in T1) compared to the shortest eating window group (T1). The longest eating window group (T3) also reported higher perceived obesity (36.7% in T3 vs. 28.7% in T1), desire to lose weight (37.0% in T3 vs. 28.5% in T1), and a history of severe weight cycling (≥11 times losing ≥4.5 kg; 46.2% in T3 vs. 22.3% in T1). In multivariate models, the longest eating window was associated with higher odds of weight loss attempts (OR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.02–1.22; p = 0.017), intentional weight loss (OR: 1.50; 95% CI: 1.26–1.78; p < 0.001), and history of bariatric surgery (OR: 2.73; 95% CI: 1.47–5.06; p = 0.002) when compared to the reference group (T1). Conclusion: Longer eating windows are associated with a less favorable weight history profile and a higher frequency of weight loss strategies in adults. The temporal dimension of eating is a potentially relevant factor in lifelong weight management.