Research
Energy balance
High intake of refined grains, sweets, desserts, and refined bread is associated with increased weight gain and larger increases in waist circumference.
Limit refined grains, white bread, sweets, desserts, and sugar-sweetened beverages. These are linked to weight gain and increased waist circumference. Replace them with whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
Also suggestive evidence was found for high intake of refined grains, and sweets and desserts in predicting more weight gain, and for refined (white) bread and high energy density in predicting larger increases in WC.
Why this rating
The paper assigns 'suggestive' evidence grade, based on fewer studies than for fiber/nuts, but with consistent positive associations.
Source
Dietary macronutrients and food consumption as determinants of long-term weight change in adult populations: a systematic literature review
Mikael Fogelholm et al. · Food & Nutrition Research · 2012
DOI 10.3402/fnr.v56i0.19103
systematic_reviewCited 214×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
Related findings · Energy balance
- Achieving a total body weight loss of 10-15% (or >10-15 kg) through Total Diet Replacement (TDR) induces remission of Type 2 Diabetes in individuals with short-duration disease.Strong
- Bariatric surgery is superior to medical management alone for inducing significant long-term weight loss, remission of type 2 diabetes, and reduction in mortality for patients with BMI ≥ 40 or ≥ 35 with comorbidities.Strong
- Achieving type 2 diabetes remission requires significant weight loss (≥15 kg) via major caloric restriction, independent of macronutrient composition.Strong
This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →