Animal Protein Intake Is Associated with General Adiposity in Adolescents: The Teen Food and Development Study

Abstract

Protein plays a crucial role in the growth and development of adolescents. However, being a secondary energy source, protein’s role in obesity has been sidelined. We examined whether intake of protein (total, animal, plant), branched-chain (BCAAs), and sulfur-containing (SCAAs) amino acids are associated with general body and central obesity and body composition in a cross-sectional study among healthy adolescents. Students aged 12–18 years old (n = 601) in schools near two major Adventist universities in California and Michigan provided dietary data via a validated web-based food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and anthropometric data during school visits. Intakes of total, animal, and plant proteins, and BCAAs and SCAAs were derived from FFQ data. We defined general body obesity with body-mass-index-for-age (BMIz) z-scores and central obesity with waist-to-height ratios (WHtR). After full adjustment for covariates, multiple regression analyses showed significant positive associations between intakes of total protein (β = 0.101, 95% CI: 0.041, 0.161), animal protein (β = 0.118, 95% CI: 0.057, 0.178), BCAAs (β = 0.056, 95% CI: 0.025, 0.087), and SCAAs (β = 0.025, 95% CI: 0.012, 0.038) with general body adiposity. Animal protein (β = 0.017, 95% CI: 0.001, 0.033) and SCAAs (β = 0.004, 95% CI: 0.000, 0.008) were also associated with central obesity. Total and animal protein and BCAA and SCAA were also significantly associated with fat mass. Our findings suggest that high protein intake may pose a possible detriment to adolescent health. Longitudinal and safety evaluation studies are recommended.

Dietary Patterns and Their Association with Metabolic Syndrome and Their Components in Middle-Class Adults from Damascus, Syria: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Within component 1, protein consumption showed a trend associated with MetS, and although some studies show that protein consumption can promote weight loss and decrease the prevalence of MetS, it is very important to consider the context of the dietary pattern, since when it is associated with a plant-based diet, it can be protective, but in the context of the consumption of red meat and high amounts of fat, it is not [ 43 ]. Regarding the relationship with BMI, our results agree with studies that have verified an association between the intake of animal proteins with an increased risk of obesity [ 44 ], and although it is unlikely to be the sole contributor to obesity, the higher intake of animal protein among overweight/obese people could be attributed to the intake of red meat and its products which are energy-dense foods, and this could explain its association with the BMI [ 45 ].…”

Nannochloropsis oceanica as a Microalgal Food Intervention in Diet-Induced Metabolic Syndrome in Rats

“…Typically, people regain weight after weight loss, with only diets with increased protein content having a beneficial effect in maintaining the reduced weight [47]. Animal protein consumption has been linked to abdominal adiposity and was generally detrimental to overall health in an adolescent population [48], whereas plant protein consumption was linked to better health. Therefore, microalgal protein may be a suitable alternative to animal proteins in maintaining a reduced body weight and health.…”

Association of Maternal Dietary Patterns With Birth Weight and the Mediation of Gestational Weight Gain: A Prospective Birth Cohort

“…Specifically, sources of protein that vary in amino acid composition should be considered here. Plant protein enhances insulin sensitivity and energy expenditure due to low in branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and sulfur-containing amino acids (SCAAs), which may interpret the association between plant protein and weight gain (30)(31)(32). Aside from plant protein, other characteristics of plant-based foods, including relatively low energy density and high fiber, merit attention.…”