A posteriori healthy dietary patterns may decrease the risk of central obesity: findings from a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Central obesity is a pivotal component of metabolic syndrome, and several studies have investigated the association of dietary patterns and central obesity. However, findings of studies are inconclusive. Therefore, we aimed to conduct the present study to summarize the available data regarding the association of a posteriori dietary patterns and central obesity in adults to test the hypothesis of whether a highly healthy dietary pattern is associated with decreased risk of central obesity. We searched all published English studies to identify related articles in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases up to December 2015. The meta-analysis was conducted on 13 studies including 12 cross-sectional studies and 1 case-control study that reported odds ratios (ORs), relative risks, or hazard ratios for risk of central obesity. The between-study variance was assessed using Cochran Q test and I2. Subgroup analysis was applied to define possible sources of heterogeneity. The highest category of healthy/prudent patterns compared with those in the lowest category resulted in significant decrease in the risk of central obesity (pooled OR was 0.81 [95% confidence interval 0.66-0.96]). Pooled results indicated a higher nonsignificant increase in the risk of central obesity (OR was 1.16 [95% confidence interval 0.96-1.35]) in the highest category of Unhealthy/Western pattern compared with those in the lowest category. There was also a significant heterogeneity in the observed associations. We found that sex, country, and continent were the potential sources of heterogeneity. The results of the present meta-analysis showed that a posteriori healthy dietary patterns may decrease the risk of central obesity, whereas no significant association was found between unhealthy dietary patterns and central obesity. Together, the results highlight the need for well-designed and carefully carried out clinical trials based on dietary patterns in future research.