Contrasting Diet and Body Mass Among Users and Nonusers of Oral Contraceptives and Exogenous Estrogens: The Lipid Research Clinics Program Prevalence Study

Mean dietary constituent levels using the 24-hour recall method and body mass measures were examined among oral contraceptive and exogenous estrogen users and nonusers in the Lipid Research Clinics Program Prevalence Study. Among women aged 20-44 years, oral contraceptive users had a significantly lower mean Quetelet index of body mass and triceps skinfold thickness and a significantly higher total caloric intake. Among women aged 45-69 years, those taking exogenous estrogens had a significantly lower mean Quetelet index. No significant differences between hormone users and nonusers were seen for per cent of calories from fat (saturated or unsaturated), protein, carbohydrates, starch, sucrose, or alcohol. The higher total caloric intake in oral contraceptive users in contrast to nonusers and the lower body mass in both groups of gonadal hormone users may in part be indicative of other differences in life-style and behavior between the study groups. Further documentation of specific eating patterns, nutrient intake, and energy metabolism in women consuming gonadal hormones and in suitable control subjects seems to be indicated.