The Association of Dietary Acid Load with Resting Metabolic Rate and Metabolic Components in Overweight and Obese Women: A Cross Sectional Study
Abstract Background: Several epidemiologic studies have reported that dietary acid load is associated with metabolic profiles; however, to our knowledge, the relationship of this dietary pattern with resting metabolic rate (RMR) among obese and overweight females remains unreported. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the association of dietary acid load RMR and metabolic components among overweight and obese adult women.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 375 Iranian adults, aged 18–48 years. Dietary acid load indexes were calculated by using a validated 147-item semi-quantitative FFQ. Biochemical and anthropometric measures were assessed using standard methods. An impedance fat analyzer was used to obtain the body composition and an indirect calorimeter was used to assess the RMR. Result: It was observed that after correction for potential confounders, DBP and NEAP and PRAL scores were inversely associated (P<0.05). NEAP index was inversely associated with RMR (β= -0.25, 95% CI=-0.1.5 to 2.08, P=0.02), and positively associated with WC (β= 1.009, 95% CI=-1.43 to 3.45, P=0.05) and WHR (β= 0.01, 95% CI= -0.01 to0.04, P=0.03), such that subjects with higher scores in NEAP had lower RMR and higher WC and WHR. We also observed that DAL (β= -0.02, 95% CI= -0.08 to0.03, P=0.08) and PRAL (β= -0.037, 95% CI= -1.05 to 0.03 P=0.07) were marginally associated with RMR.Conclusion:The results of the present study suggested that higher dietary acid load scores may be negatively associated with lower RMR, while directly associated with greater WC, WHR, DBP, and HOMA-IR.