Association between Habitual Coffee Consumption and Indices of Body Fat

Background Despite strenuous public health efforts, obesity rates continue to rise globally, and contribute importantly to increased cardiometabolic morbidity and mortality. Dietary habits play a key role in the development and progression of obesity, and are the target of choice in preventative and therapeutic programs. Although preclinical studies have shown that caffeine may exert anti-adipogenic effects, in humans the implications of coffee consumption on risks of excess adiposity are unclear. Objective The objective of this study was to investigate the association between habitual coffee consumption and indices of total and regional body fat in healthy adults. Methods Seventy-eight subjects (46 males, mean age 27.3±6.1 years) who took part in research studies conducted at the Mayo Clinic Cardiovascular/Sleep Laboratory and underwent body composition assessment were selected. Absence of cardiovascular or metabolic diseases was ascertained by physical exam and review of medical charts. Height, weight, ...