NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Women who eat a high-fat, high-sugar "empty calorie" diet are likely to become overweight in later years, according to a team of researchers, whose new study results provide more evidence that you are--or will be--what you eat.

On the other hand, yo-yo dieters who cut fat out of their diet or drastically reduce their fat intake may not necessarily be protecting themselves from becoming overweight either, the study findings suggest.

"The truth is that people are still confused about how their dietary behavior contributes to health risk," lead study author Dr. Paula A. Quatromoni of Boston University School of Public Health in Massachusetts told Reuters Health.

"And people are frustrated with the controversy that exists, with arguments even among nutrition experts as to whether it's the amount of fat or the type of fat that matters most; whether high-carbohydrate diets are good for you; whether low-fat diets are appropriate either."

Quatromoni and her colleagues investigated the controversy about whether dietary patterns predict the development of overweight in a long-term study of 737 non-overweight women.

Overall, 214 (29%) of the women became overweight by the end of the 12-year study period, the investigators report in the September issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.

Women categorized as "empty calorie" eaters--i.e. "junk food junkies," according to Quatromoni--were 40% more likely to be overweight than those who ate a "heart healthy" diet, consisting of more fruits and vegetables, low-fat milk, and other low-fat and high-fiber foods.

Empty calorie eaters were also more likely to be smokers--who were 20% more likely to be overweight at follow-up--and to be younger than women with other dietary habits, study findings indicate.

Yet, the "light eaters," or chronic dieters, tended to have fluctuating weights, as might be expected, and had a slightly higher risk of being overweight, the authors note.

These women "tend to cut back on their calories, but not necessarily in the most wise way," Quatromoni said. They did not replace the foods and nutrients they cut out of their diet and so lacked dietary balance and variety, she explained.

Altogether, the findings show that consumers should indeed heed the advice of nutritionists--to eat a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and to exercise, an activity all of the women studied could have used more of, Quatromoni said.

"People are looking for a quick fix (and are) willing to do one without the other," but exercise goes hand in hand with dietary changes, she added.

"I believe that consumers need to hear that message as often and as consistently as possible in light of the obesity epidemic worldwide," Quatromoni said.

Previous study findings have shown that nearly one quarter of all US adults are obese and more than half are overweight.

To maintain health and reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer, however, Americans should try to eliminate saturated fats and added sugars from their diets, and exercise for at least one hour each day, according to a new report released Thursday by the Institute of Medicine's Food and Nutrition Board.

SOURCE: Journal of the American Dietetic Association 2002;102:1240-1246.

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