Table 2

Multivariable adjusted weight change and relative risk (95% CI) for weight gain and incident obesity according to the joint categories of total nuts intake at the first and fourth years of each period based on pooled data of Nurses' Health study (NHS), NHS II, and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study (HPFS)

Total nut intake (servings/day)*
First year intakes00.1–0.49≥0.500.1–0.49≥0.500.1–0.49≥0.5
Fourth year intakes0000.1–0.490.1–0.490.1–0.49≥0.5≥0.5≥0.5
Weight change (kg)
Means1.47±0.011.30±0.021.19±0.101.52±0.021.40±0.011.47±0.030.73±0.060.90±0.031.18±0.03
Differences 0−0.17±0.03−0.28±0.100.05±0.03−0.07±0.020.00±0.04−0.74±0.06−0.57±0.03−0.29±0.03
Weight gain (≥2 kg)
Cases (prevalence)52 852 (46.5)23 838 (43.3)1252 (38.9)30 343 (45.1)60 300 (41.7)8007 (39.9)2628 (35.8)10 899 (34.9)7722 (33.6)
Relative risk 10.98 (0.97 to 0.99)0.95 (0.91 to 0.99)1.00 (0.99 to 1.01)0.99 (0.98 to 0.99)1.00 (0.98 to 1.01)0.87 (0.84 to 0.89)0.88 (0.87 to 0.90)0.89 (0.87 to 0.90)
Weight gain (≥5 kg)
Cases (prevalence)23 054 (20.3)9739 (17.7)566 (17.6)12 883 (19.1)22 775 (15.8)2992 (14.9)1047 (14.3)3750 (12.0)2477 (10.8)
Relative risk 10.94 (0.92 to 0.96)1.04 (0.95 to 1.13)1.00 (0.97 to 1.02)0.92 (0.90 to 0.93)0.93 (0.90 to 0.97)0.87 (0.81 to 0.92)0.79 (0.76 to 0.81)0.77 (0.73 to 0.80)
Incident obesity
Cases (incidence)5911 (6.53)2599 (5.90)138 (5.32)3517 (6.64)6255 (5.38)784 (4.77)287 (4.88)1131 (4.46)700 (3.56)
Relative risk§ 10.95 (0.93 to 0.97)1.05 (0.98 to 1.13)1.00 (0.98 to 1.01)0.92 (0.91 to 0.94)0.95 (0.92 to 0.98)0.84 (0.80 to 0.89)0.78 (0.76 to 0.81)0.77 (0.74 to 0.80)
  • *Results are pooled from HPFS, NHS and NHS II.

  • †Differences in weight change compare those who never or almost never consume nuts.

  • ‡Relative risk of weight gain was calculated by multivariate model adjusted for age, menopausal status (pre- or postmenopausal) and hormone therapy use (never, past or current) in women; baseline BMI of every 4 years; hours of sleeping at baseline; changes in lifestyle factors: smoking status (never, former, current: 1 to 14, 15 to 24, or ≥25 cigarettes/day), physical activity (MET hours/week), hours of sitting (hours/week); changes in dietary factors: fruits, vegetables, alcohol, snacks, dessert, French fries, red or processed meat, whole grain, refined grain and sugar sweetened beverages. Participants who do not consume nuts were used as a reference group.

  • §Relative risk of incident obesity was calculated by multivariable model excluding the adjustment of baseline BMI of every 4-year interval. Participants who do not consume nuts were used as reference group.

  • BMI, body mass index; MET, metabolic equivalent.