The aim of this study was to examine the association between meat intake and weight gain after an average of 5 years of follow-up in the large European population from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition-Physical Activity, Nutrition, Alcohol, Cessation of Smoking, Eating Out of Home and Obesity (EPIC-PANACEA) project. A total of 103,455 men and 270,348 women aged 25-70 years were recruited between 1992 and 2000. Results showed that total meat consumption was positively associated with weight gain in men and women, normal-weight and overweight subjects, and in all smoking status subgroups. The authors estimated that an intake of 250 g meat/day would lead to a 2-kg higher weight gain after 5 years after adjusting for estimated energy intake. Positive associations of total meat, red meat, poultry, and processed meat intakes with weight gain were also observed after 5 years of follow-up. These assocations were statistically significant after adjustment for total energy intake, physical activity and dietary pattern scores. These results suggest that a decrease in meat intake is favourable to ameliorate weight management.
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