Self-reported behavior of eating quickly is correlated with visceral fat area in Japanese non-obese adults.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between eating speed and fat accumulation in Japanese non-obese adults. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: In total, 381 non-obese participants aged 35-74 years underwent a health checkup including fat distribution. All participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging to quantify visceral fat area (VFA) and subcutaneous fat area (SFA). Information on eating speed was obtained using a self-administrated questionnaire. RESULTS: The numbers of participants with self-reported behavior of eating slowly, medium, or quickly were 24 (6.3%), 180 (47.2%), and 177 (46.5%), respectively. The prevalence of VFA ≥100 cm2 was higher in the eating quickly group than in the eating slowly (p<0.05) or medium groups (p<0.05). On the other hand, no significant differences in SFA ≥100 cm2 were observed between groups. In addition, multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that eating quickly was positively correlated with VFA (standard ß=0.068, p<0.05), but not with SFA. CONCLUSIONS: Although eating quickly was positively correlated with bigger VFA in Japanese non-obese adults, no associations were found between eating speed and SFA.