Which food patterns are predictors of obesity in Tehranian adults?

Abstract

Objectives: To determine whether changes in food patterns over a period of 6 years were related to obesity in Tehranian adults.

Design: Data on dietary intake, using the food frequency questionnaire, and anthropometry were obtained in 2 periods of the survey (1999-2001 and 2005-2007).

Setting: Participants of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study.

Participants: Two hundred six adults.

Main outcome measures: Waist circumference, body mass index, and waist-to-hip ratio.

Analysis: Food patterns were derived using factor analysis.

Results: Three dietary patterns, the healthful (HDP), the western (WDP), and the mix, were identified. Increased WDP score was directly related to change in body mass index (β = .41, R(2) = 0.22, P < .001) among overweight/obese individuals. Alterations in waist circumference was better predicted by increased WDP score (β = .49, R(2) = 0.21, P < .01) than by increased HDP score (β = -.20, R(2) = 0.11, P < .05). Subjects in the higher quartile of increased HDP score had lesser change in waist-to-hip ratio (β = -.77, R(2) = 0.43, P < .01).

Conclusions and implications: Results of this study indicate that increased adherence to the WDP and decreased adherence to the HDP could contribute to obesity.