Chocolate Intake and Prospective Change in Body Mass Index (BMI) During a Six-year Period Between Visits 1 & 3 in the ARICa Cohort.

aARIC, Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Cohort.bFrequency of chocolate intake was assessed by means of a semi-quantitative food frequency question.cN is the number of participants who provided data values in each of the categories of chocolate intake at visit 1 and 3. Missing values of outcome, exposure and confounder variables were replaced by multiple imputation.dBMI change is the change in BMI (kg/m2) during the three year period between sequential visits among participants in a particular chocolate intake category, compared to participants who ate chocolate monthly or less frequently (referent category). Data are presented as mean (95% confidence interval) estimated by means of a linear mixed effects model, in which the exposure variable and confounders were updated at visit 2, 3 & 4 using the value assessed at the visit or the latest available value. Food-frequency variables, including the exposure variable were corrected for intra-individual variation by using the mean of the two values assessed at visit 1 and 3.eModel A - adjusted for age, age squared, race (non-black, black), sex (male, female) & baseline covariates - body weight and waist-to-hip ratio;fModel B - adjusted for model A variables plus alcohol intake (0, 0–75, 75–150 & > = 150 g/week), smoking (never, former, current gModel C - adjusted for model B variables plus energy-adjusted dietary vegetable, fruit and fat levels.hTests for linear and quadratic trend were performed by putting the linear and quadratic versions, respectively, of chocolate intake in the model.