Eating speed and risk of metabolic syndrome among Japanese workers: the Furukawa Nutrition and Health Study

Abstract Objective Evidence from prospective studies on the association between eating speed and metabolic syndrome is limited. We prospectively investigated the association between eating speed and metabolic syndrome in a Japanese working population. Methods Participants were 1018 workers (aged 19-68 years) without metabolic syndrome at baseline who completed both baseline and 3-year follow-up surveys. Eating speed was self-reported and categorized as slow, medium, or fast. Metabolic syndrome was defined using criteria recommended in a joint interim statement from several international societies. Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio of metabolic syndrome according to eating speed with adjustment for covariates, including total energy intake. Results At 3-year follow-up, 67 (6.6%) workers were newly identified as having metabolic syndrome. Fast eating speed was significantly associated with increased odds of developing metabolic syndrome, with multivariable-adjusted odds ratios for eating fast of 2.13 (95% confidence intervals 1.23-3.68) compared with medium eating speed, with adjustment for covariates including total energy intake. The association remained statistically significant after additional adjustment for BMI and BMI change between baseline and follow-up surveys (odds ratio 1.95; 95% confidence interval 1.06-3.56). Conclusions Fast eating speed was associated with increased likelihood of developing metabolic syndrome independently of total energy intake, BMI at baseline, and BMI change during follow-up period.