TABLE 1.
Association between changes in glycemic load or glycemic index and long-term weight change1
| Multivariable-adjusted weight change (95% CI) every 4 y (kg)2 | P value | |
| Change in glycemic load, per 50 units3 | ||
| Nurses’ Health Study | 0.41 (0.37, 0.44) | <0.001 |
| Nurses’ Health Study II | 0.59 (0.54, 0.63) | <0.001 |
| Health Professionals Follow-Up Study | 0.26 (0.22, 0.31) | <0.001 |
| Pooled | 0.42 (0.24, 0.60) | <0.001 |
| Change in glycemic index, per 5 units4 | ||
| Nurses’ Health Study | 0.31 (0.27, 0.34) | <0.001 |
| Nurses’ Health Study II | 0.45 (0.41, 0.49) | <0.001 |
| Health Professionals Follow-Up Study | 0.30 (0.24, 0.35) | <0.001 |
| Pooled | 0.35 (0.25, 0.45) | <0.001 |
Data are based on 24 y of follow-up (1986–2010) for 46,994 women in the Nurses' Health Study and 25,862 men in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study, as well as 16 y of follow-up (1991–2007) for 47,928 women in the Nurses' Health Study II.
Mean and 95% CI of the weight changes shown are for increased glycemic load and glycemic index; decreased glycemic load/index would be associated with the inverse weight change. To convert from kilograms to pounds, multiply by 2.2. The multivariable model included age; baseline (of each 4-y period) BMI; sleep duration; changes in smoking status, physical activity, television watching, and alcohol consumption; and changes in servings/d of red meat, processed meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, legumes, butter, nuts, dairy, fruit, vegetables, fried foods consumed at home, fried foods consumed away from home, and trans fats.
For reference, the SD of glycemic load in our 3 cohorts is ∼25 units, and a slice (30 g) of white bread has a glycemic load of 10 units.
For reference, the SD of glycemic index in our 3 cohorts is ∼2 units, and a slice (30 g) of white bread has a glycemic index of ∼70 (compared with a standard dose of glucose) (10).