Eating Frequency Is Positively Associated with Overweight and Central Obesity in U.S. Adults

BACKGROUND: Evidence of the association between eating frequency (EF) and adiposity is inconsistent. OBJECTIVE: With the use of data from the NHANES 2003-2012, this cross-sectional study examined the associations between EF, meal frequency (MF), and snack frequency (SF) and overweight/obesity and central obesity. METHODS: Dietary intake was assessed with the use of two 24-h dietary recalls in 18,696 US adults ≥20 y of age. All eating occasions providing ≥50 kcal of energy were divided into meals or snacks on the basis of contribution to energy intake (≥15% or