The effect of dietary acid load on anthropometric measures among patients with metabolic syndrome who applied to the diet outpatient clinic of a medical center in Istanbul.

It has been indicated that high dietary acid load (DAL) can increase the risk of developing Metabolic Syndrome (MetS). The relationship between DAL and various anthropometric indices such as body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) is still inconsistent. This study aims to determine the effect of DAL on various anthropometric indices of patients diagnosed with MetS. This cross-sectional study included 73 volunteers diagnosed with MetS from İstanbul who visited the diet clinic. Participants' anthropometric indices were measured, including body weight, height, WC, and hip circumference. BMI, waist-hip ratio (WHR), A Body Shape Index (ABSI) were calculated. DAL was calculated by Net Endogenous Acid Production (NEAP) and Potential Renal Acid Load (PRAL) based on participants' dietary intakes with a 24-hour dietary recall and a 40-item food frequency questionnaire. The mean NEAP and PRAL in the sample were 50.7±10.9 mEq/day and 11.9±12.2 mEq/day. The mean NEAP and PRAL were significantly higher in men than women (p<0.05). Participants with high PRAL and NEAP have been demonstrated to have significantly higher daily energy, protein, fat, phosphorus, and sodium consumption than those with low PRAL and NEAP. A positive and significant relationship was found between PRAL, NEAP and BMI, WC, and WHR (p<0.05). Among them, the most significant effect was indicated between PRAL and WC (R2(%)=37.7) and between NEAP and WC (R2(%)= 31.7). No significant relationship was found between ABSI and PRAL or NEAP. It is recommended to consider the DAL as a different approach when evaluating the dietary intake of patients with MetS.