Objective To assess whether dietary GI or GL are associated with subsequent changes in weight or waist circumference.
Design Population-based prospective cohort study.
Setting Five European countries – Denmark, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and UK.
Participants 89,432 participants aged 20-78 years old at base line (mean 53) followed for mean of 6.5 years (range 1.9-12.5), free of major diseases at base line.
Main outcome measures Weight and waist circumference at base line and end of follow up. Diet was assessed by food frequency questionnaire and GI and GL calculated. Multiple regression analysis of data from each centre combined by meta-analysis.
Results There was no significant association between GI or GL and subsequent changes in weight. A very small positive association was observed between GI and subsequent waist circumference.
Conclusions This study does not support a link between GI or GL and weight change. Further work needed on possible small link with GI and abdominal obesity.
December 2009