Table 7: Summary of strength of evidence on factors that might promote or
protect against weight gain and obesitya
| Evidence |
Decreased risk |
No relationship |
Increased risk |
a Strength of evidence: the totality of the evidence was taken into
account. The World Cancer Research Fund schema was taken as the starting point but
was modified in the following manner: randomized controlled trials were given
prominence as the highest ranking study design (randomized controlled trials were
not a major source of cancer evidence); associated evidence and expert opinion was
also taken into account in relation to environmental determinants (direct trials
were usually not available).
b Specific amounts will depend on the analytical methodolog ies used to
measure fibre.
c Energy-dense and micronutrient-poor foods tend to be processed foods
that are high in fat and/or sugars. Low energy-dense (or energy-dilute) foods, such
as fruit, legumes, vegetables and whole grain cereals, are high in dietary fibre and water.
d Associat ed evidence and expert opinion included.
|
| Convincing |
Regular physical activity |
|
Sedentary lifestyles |
| High dietary intake of NSP (dietary fibre)b |
High intake of energy-dense micronutrient-poor
foodsc |
| Probable |
Home and school environments that support healthy food choices for
childrend |
|
Heavy marketing of energy-dense foodsd and fast-food
outletsd |
| Breastfeeding |
High intake of sugars-sweetened soft drinks and fruit juices |
| Adverse socioeconomic conditionsd (in developed
countries, especially for women) |
| Possible |
Low glycaemic index foods |
Protein content of the diet |
Large portion sizes |
| High proportion of food prepared outside the home (developed
countries) |
| ‘‘Rigid restraint/periodic disinhibition’’ eating patterns |
| Insufficient |
Increased eating frequency |
|
Alcohol |
Source: WHO/FAO "Diet, Nutrition and the prevention of chronic diseases"
Section 5.2.4 Strength of evidence 
Related publication:
Other Figures & Tables on this publication:
Table 1: Global and regional per capita food consumption (kcal per capita per day)
Table 2. Vegetable and animal sources of energy in the diet (kcal per capita per day)
Table 3: Vegetable and animal sources of energy in the diet (kcal per capita per day)
Supply of fat (g per capita per day)
Table 4. Per capita consumption of livestock products
Table 6. Ranges of population nutrient intake goals
Table 7: Summary of strength of evidence on factors that might promote or
protect against weight gain and obesitya
Table 8: Classification of overweight in adults according to BMIa
Table 9: Summary of strength of evidence on lifestyle factors and risk of developing
type 2 diabetes
Table 10: Summary of strength of evidence on lifestyle factors and risk of developing
cardiovascular diseases
Table 11: Summary of strength of evidence on lifestyle factors and the risk of developing cancer
Table 12: Trends in levels of dental caries in 12-year-olds mean [number of] delayed, missing, filled permanent teeth (DMFT) per person aged 12 years [as a result of carries]
Table 13: Prevalence of toothlessness (edentulousness) in older people throughout the world
Table 14: Summary of strength of evidence linking diet to dental caries
Table 15: Summary of strength of evidence linking diet to dental erosion
Table 16: Summary of strength of evidence linking diet to enamel developmental defects
Table 17: Summary of strength of evidence linking diet to periodontal disease
Table 18: Summary of strength of evidence linking diet to osteoporotic fractures
Figure 3: Trends in the supply of vegetables, by region, 1970-2000
Figure 4: Ranges of population nutrient intake goals
Figure 2. Calories from major commodities in developing countries
Comment
Degrees of evidence by the Joint WHO/FAO Expert Consultation
