Research

Energy balance

High intake of fruit, vegetables, or combined fruit and vegetables is associated with a reduced risk of developing adiposity (overweight/obesity).

Maintaining a diet high in fruits and vegetables is associated with a 9-17% lower risk of becoming overweight or obese compared to low intake. Focus on reaching the highest intake categories recommended by dietary guidelines (e.g., 400-650g/day) to maximize this protective effect.

ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
Comparing the highest combined fruit & vegetable, fruit, and vegetable intake categories were associated with a 9%, 17%, and 17% reduced risk of adiposity (odds ratio [OR]: 0.91, 95% CI, 0.84 to 0.99), (OR: 0.83, 95% CI, 0.71 to 0.99), and (OR: 0.83, 95% CI, 0.70 to 0.99), respectively.
Lukas Schwingshackl et al. · PLoS ONE · 2015

Why this rating

Meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies; observational data limits causal inference compared to RCTs.

Source

Fruit and Vegetable Consumption and Changes in Anthropometric Variables in Adult Populations: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies

Lukas Schwingshackl et al. · PLoS ONE · 2015

DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0140846

Meta-analysis · 17 studiesCited 219×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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