The Relationship of the Number of Daily Meals and Snacks with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) in Iranian Adults

Document Type : Original Article (s)

Authors

1 Student of Medicine, Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

2 General Practitioner, Integrative Functional Gastroenterology Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

3 PhD Student of Nutrition, Food Security Research Center AND Student Research Committee, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

4 Professor, Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

5 Associate Professor, Integrative Functional Gastroenterology Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

6 Professor, Integrative Functional Gastroenterology Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

Background: The relationship of the number of daily meals and snacks with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is less studied in Middle-Eastern countries. We aimed to find this relationship in a large sample of Iranian adults.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 4669 individuals fulfilled a questionnaire about their number of daily meals and snacks. Frequency of total meals was defined by summing up the frequency of main meals and snacks and participants were categorized into 4 categories: < 3, 3-5, 6-7 and ≥ 8 meals/day. GERD was defined as having heartburn sometimes or more during the last three months. The severity of disease was assessed using a four items scale rating mild, moderate, severe, and very severe.Findings: The prevalence of GERD in study population was 23.7%. After adjustment of all potential confounders, women who consumed 1-2 or 3-5 snacks per day, compared to those who never used snack, had a 41% (OR:0.59; 95% CI: 0.42-0.84) and 51% (OR: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.32-0.75) reduced risk of having GERD, respectively. Women who consumed 6-7 or ≥ 8 snacks and meals per day had a 38% (OR: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.41-0.96) and 43% (OR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.34-0.95) risk reduction for GERD, in comparison with those who ate < 3 snacks and meals per day. There was no significant relationship between the meal frequency and GERD symptoms in men.Conclusion: We found an inverse significant relationship between the meal frequency and GERD symptoms in Iranian women, but not in men. Prospective studies are required to confirm this association in Middle-Eastern populations.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 35, Issue 420 - Serial Number 420
January and February 2017
Pages 143-150

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History

  • Receive Date: 21 December 2016
  • Revise Date:
  • Accept Date: 06 April 2022

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