In February 2020 researchers from the UK, Austria, Italy, USA, Spain, Brazil, France, Turkey and Canada published the results of their study to assess the association between consumption of chocolate and levels of obesity. A total of 13,626 non-diabetic adults, aged over 20 years, from the USA were involved in the study. Information on chocolate consumption was collected via two 24-hour dietary recalls. Body mass index and waist circumference were measured in all individuals. Results showed that 11% of the individuals reported some chocolate consumption in either of their two 24-hour dietary recalls. An analysis revealed that those who reported some chocolate consumption had a lower BMI of approximately 0.92 kg/m2 and a lower waist circumference of appoximately 2.07 cm than those who reported no chocolate consumption. Further research is required.
Smith L et al. Chocolate Consumption and Indicators of Adiposity in US Adults. Am J Med. 2020 Feb 15. [Epub ahead of print]