Isfahan University of Medical Sciences Journal of Isfahan Medical School 1027-7595 35 420 2017 03 21 The Relationship of the Number of Daily Meals and Snacks with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) in Iranian Adults The Relationship of the Number of Daily Meals and Snacks with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) in Iranian Adults 143 150 15179 FA Mehrbod Vakhshoori Student of Medicine, Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran 0000-0002-1380-4791 Ammar Hassanzadeh-Keshteli General Practitioner, Integrative Functional Gastroenterology Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Parvane Saneei 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 Ahmad Esmaillzadeh Professor, Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Hamed Daghaghzadeh Associate Professor, Integrative Functional Gastroenterology Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Peyman Adibi Professor, Integrative Functional Gastroenterology Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Journal Article 2016 12 21 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. 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. https://jims.mui.ac.ir/article_15179_922f33cdefb2792b0f0f72965146208f.pdf