Table 3.

Summary of studies on the association between dietary patterns and weight change (see Appendix 3).

			Reported associations
Exposure	Outcome variable	No of participants	+	ns	−	Number of studies rated as A or B	Strength of evidence	References
Mediterranean diet index	Weight	390,498		1	2	B: 3	No conclusion	47, 49, 50
Healthy/prudent diet index	Weight	7,158			2	A: 1, B: 1	Suggestive	48, 51

+, Associated with increased weight gain; ns, no association with weight change; −, associated with decreased weight gain (prevention of weight gain).