Table 2.

Summary of cohort studies investigating associations between potato consumption and weight change, BMI, and waist circumference.

Reference	Study Type; Follow-Up/Duration	n (%F); BMI; Age (years); Criteria	Exposure; Assessment Method	Results	Potato Categories	Comments
French et al., 1994 [55]	Cross-sectional and prospective cohort (two years)	3552 (53.9%) Normal weight to obese 37.3 ± 10.7 years (F) 39.1 ± 9.8 years (M)	Participating in a workplace weight loss intervention FFQ (18 items)	A trend for an association (p = 0.06) between consumption of French fries/fried potatoes and higher bodyweight in women at baseline Increased consumption of French fries associated with weight gain in women	French fries and fried potatoes in a single category; no other potatoes measured	Data from the Healthy Worker Project [59] Participants were fully clothed, including shoes, for weight measurement. Time of day was not standardised. FFQ contained only 15 highest contributors to energy and fat intake; fruit and vegetable intake was not assessed.
Halkjaer et al., 2004 [58]	Cohort (six years)	2300 (49.2%) Normal weight to obese 30–60 years Of Danish origin	Habitual diet FFQ (26 items)	A weak inverse association between potato consumption and waist circumference; insignificant after adjustment for changes in obesity	Potatoes (unspecified)	Data from the MONICA1 study Intake remained largely unchanged over the time period measured
Linde et al., 2006 [56]	Cross-sectional and prospective cohort (2 years)	1801 (71.8%) Overweight and obese (BMI > 27) >18 years	Participating in weight loss intervention Block Screening Questionnaires for Fat (15 Items) and Fruit/Vegetable/Fibre (nine items) Intake	Consumption of French fries associated with higher BMI in women, but not men at baseline Increased consumption of French fries associated with increased BMI over two years for men and women No association between potatoes and BMI at baseline or over the course of the intervention	Potatoes; French fries
Halkjaer et al., 2009 [57]	Cohort (five years)	42,696 (52.9%) BMI 20–33.5 50–64 years	Habitual diet FFQ (192 items, 21 groups)	Energy intake from potatoes was associated with five year increase in waist circumference in women	Potatoes (not including French fries)	Data from the Danish Diet, Cancer and Health Study [60] French fries were incorporated into a Snack Foods group, potatoes were in a group of their own. All analysis by group, not individual food item.
Mozaffarian et al., 2011 [54]	Three cohorts (four year intervals)	120,877 (81.3%) Non-obese at baseline 18–64 years Energy intake 900–3500 kcal/day	Habitual diet FFQ (61/131 items)	Four year weight change was positively associated with potato intake (all categories)	Total potato intake; Boiled, baked or mashed; French fries; Potato chips	Data from the Nurses’ Health Study I and II [61] and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study [62]

BMI: body mass index; FFQ: food frequency questionnaire; MONICA1: the Danish Monitoring Trends and Determinants of Cardiovascular Disease cohort.