Higher intake of cryptoxanthin is related to low body mass index and body fat in Japanese middle-aged women.

OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of cardiovascular diseases increases with age, especially in postmenopausal women. In this study, we investigated the dietary patterns associated with body mass and body fat in Japanese middle-aged women.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: This study used baseline data collected in a previous study in 88 women aged 40-60 years. Participants were assessed for age, menopausal status, lifestyle factors, body composition, and dietary habits using a brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire, which provides information on the amounts of nearly 100 nutritional factors consumed during the previous month. Classifying body mass index (BMI) as low (≤22kg/m(2)) or high (>22kg/m(2)) and percentage body fat as low (≤25%) or high (>25%), we sought to identify the nutritional factors associated with BMI and percentage body fat.

RESULTS: Consumption differences between high/low BMI and high/low body fat percentage groups were not significant for any nutritional factors except cryptoxanthin. Multiple logistic regression analysis adjusting for age, menopausal status, working, exercise, and smoking revealed that higher cryptoxanthin intake was associated with low BMI (adjusted odds ratio, 1.22 per 100μg/day increase of cryptoxanthin intake; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.52) and low body fat percentage (adjusted odds ratio, 1.36 per 100μg/day increase of cryptoxanthin intake; 95% confidence interval, 1.13-1.70).

CONCLUSIONS: Higher intake of cryptoxanthin was shown to be related to low body mass and body fat in Japanese middle-aged women.