The Effect of Gluten-Free Diet Duration on Body Mass Index of Iranian Patients with Celiac Disease.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine how the duration of a gluten-free diet (GFD) affects the BMI of Iranian patients with celiac disease (CD).
Results Summary
Most patients' weight remained in the same BMI category during different periods of GFD adherence. Underweight patients showed significant BMI changes, with weight gain increasing over time, particularly in those on the diet for less than 6 months or more than 2 years.
Population
215 Iranian patients with celiac disease on a gluten-free diet.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Varied (less than 6 months, 6 months to 2 years, more than 2 years)
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
gluten-free diet | neutral | body mass index changes | patients with celiac disease | - | associated with | #1 |
gluten-free diet | no change | BMI | patients with CD on a GFD | - | Most patients' weight remains in the same BMI category | #2 |
gluten-free diet | increase | BMI | patients who were underweight | - | showed significant changes in their BMI | #3 |
gluten-free diet | increase | weight gain cases | patients with CD | - | the number of weight gain cases increased over time | #4 |
Background: A gluten-free diet (GFD) is the only effective treatment of celiac disease (CD) that is associated with body mass index (BMI) changes. This study aimed to determine how GFD duration affects the BMI of Iranian patients with CD. Methods: In this prospective study, 215 patients with CD, who were on a GFD, were categorized into three groups according to the duration of compliance to GFD: 1. patients with less than 6 months of diet, 2. Patients who had a diet for 6 months to 2 years, and 3. patients with more than 2 years of diet. The BMI changes were assessed before and after adherence to the GFD. Results: Most patients' weight remains in the same BMI category during different courses of GFD adherence. Patients who were underweight showed significant changes in their BMI following the diet in less than 6 months (P=0.033) and more than 2 years (P<0.001), and the number of weight gain cases increased over time. Conclusion: There is a need for careful, updated, and personalized nutrition management of patients with CD in different periods of the diet. Conducting similar studies with larger sample sizes in different regions can lead to providing expert dietary counseling for patients with CD.