Association of dietary total antioxidant capacity to anthropometry in healthy women: A cross-sectional study

Reactive oxygen species level is a fundamental component in the pathogenesis of obesity that might be reduced by dietary antioxidants. Measurement of dietary total antioxidant capacity (DTAC) is regarded as a new holistic dietary index. Given the limited research on DTAC, the aim of this study was to examine the association of DTAC with obesity-related features in women. The present cross-sectional study included 627 female participants. Data on dietary intake were assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. DTAC was estimated through total reactive antioxidant potential (TRAP), Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), and ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP). Anthropometric parameters (body mass index and waist circumference), were investigated using standard methods. After adjustment for possible covariates, both TRAP and TEAC were significantly positively associated with obesity (TRAP: OR, 1.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04–2.63; Ptrend, 0.03; TEAC: OR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.01–2.63; Ptrend, 0.04). However, there was no association between FRAP and obesity (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.64–1.93; Ptrend, 0.68). Moreover, no relationship was found between different DTAC indices and waist circumference (TRAP: OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.70–1.80; Ptrend, 0.60; TEAC: OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.64–1.69; Ptrend, 0.87; FRAP: OR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.49–1.51; Ptrend, 0.62). Women with higher DTAC scores had higher risk for obesity. No association was found between DTAC and waist circumference.