Dietary patterns among European children and their association with adiposity-related outcomes: a multi-country study
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Children's diets in school-age are inherently unhealthy, with few meeting dietary recommendations. Yet, little is known about similarities and differences on dietary patterns across countries and their association with obesity. We aimed to derive dietary patterns in childhood and explore their association with adiposity-related outcomes in childhood and adolescence. SUBJCTS/METHODS: This study included data from six European countries (Spain, France, UK, Greece, Lithuania and Norway) during childhood (n = 1597) and adolescence (n = 803). Using a food frequency questionnaire, we derived data-driven dietary patterns through exploratory factor analyses and calculated the Mediterranean KIDMED index. We assessed body mass index z-score (zBMI), fat mass proportion and waist-to-height ratio at both visits. Associations were estimated using generalized linear regressions, adjusted for key-confounders. RESULTS: "Meat", "Dairy", "Western", "Healthy" and "Sweets and fats" dietary patterns were derived. Norwegian children showed better diet quality, with higher consumption of fruits and vegetables, and highest "Healthy pattern" adherence, and Lithuanian children, the worst, with higher sweets consumption, and highest "Western pattern" adherence. Children with lower intake of healthy foods (vegetables, fruits, fish) tended to have higher adiposity, e.g., children with average or low "Healthy pattern" adherence (vs. high) had higher fat mass proportion in childhood (average: β (95% CI) 1.44 (0.48; 2.39), low: 1.10 (0.09; 2.12)). Low adherence to a "Healthy pattern" (vs. high) was associated with increased adolescent zBMI, and child and adolescent waist-to-height ratio. Low "Dairy pattern" adherence (vs. high), was associated with lower zBMI and fat mass in childhood, but not in adolescence. No significant associations were seen with the KIDMED index. CONCLUSIONS: Many European children have poor diets and a low adherence to a healthy diet pattern may be of concern for adiposity-related outcomes. Assessment of children's dietary patterns can help tailor dietary advice and provide support for families aiming to prevent future excess weight gain.
Source: International Journal of Obesity
Institutions: Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford Institute for Health Research, University of York, Hull York Medical School, Inserm, Université Paris Cité, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement, Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Centre de Recherche Épidémiologie et Statistique, University of Crete, Vytautas Magnus University, Norwegian Institute of Public Health
Language: English
Topic: Nutritional Studies and Diet
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,590
Funders: National Institute for Health and Care Research, British Heart Foundation, Department of Health and Social Care, European Commission, Generalitat de Catalunya, Helse- og Omsorgsdepartementet, Medical Research Council, Economic and Social Research Council, Agència de Gestió d'Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca, Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Awards: G1077156815, G1779174361, G2326297700, G2473961061, G2493824435, G2745558375, G3207356259, G393177772, G4062506641, G434337789, Advancing Tools for Human Early Lifecourse Exposome Research and Translation, G5640424767, G5702163051, The Human Early-Life Exposome – novel tools for integrating early-life environmental exposures and child health across Europe, G7689853932
OpenAlex ID: W4403844783