For women in this study, how often they ate didn’t seem to affect whether they were obese or had a large waist, unlike in men.

Scientific Claim

Among middle-aged women, no statistically significant association was found between daily eating frequency and obesity or central obesity, despite similar trends in dietary patterns, indicating sex-specific differences in how eating frequency relates to body composition.

Original Statement

“However, results did not reach statistical significance among women.”

From study:A high eating frequency is associated with an overall healthy lifestyle in middle-aged men and women and reduced likelihood of general and central obesity in men

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

appropriately stated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

association

Can only show association/correlation

Assessment Explanation

The claim correctly states the absence of statistical significance and avoids causal language, matching the study’s reporting and design limitations.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

A high eating frequency is associated with an overall healthy lifestyle in middle-aged men and women and reduced likelihood of general and central obesity in men

Cross-Sectional Study

Human

2010 Oct

In middle-aged women, eating more often didn’t make them less likely to be overweight or have extra belly fat, but in men, it did — so the effect is different by sex.

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

A high eating frequency is associated with an overall healthy lifestyle in middle-aged men and women and reduced likelihood of general and central obesity in men

Score: 42

DOI: 10.1017/S0007114510001753

Similar Assertions

Men who eat fewer meals are more than twice as likely to have a very large waistline, even if they eat the same number of calories as men who eat more often.

80%

Even when men ate the same number of total calories, those who ate fewer meals were still more likely to be obese, meaning it’s not just about how much they eat, but when and how often.

79%

Men who eat only three meals or fewer a day are more than twice as likely to be obese compared to men who snack and eat more often, even when they eat the same total amount of food.

78%

Even when researchers accounted for people eating lots of sweets and junk food, those who ate fewer meals still had higher obesity rates, meaning the problem isn’t just about what they snack on.

76%

People who eat more often during the day tend to get more of their calories from carbs and less from alcohol, which is generally considered healthier.

74%