Which Food Patterns Are Predictors of Obesity in Tehranian Adults?

ObjectivesTo determine whether changes in food patterns over a period of 6 years were related to obesity in Tehranian adults.DesignData on dietary intake, using the food frequency questionnaire, and anthropometry were obtained in 2 periods of the survey (1999-2001 and 2005-2007).SettingParticipants of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study.ParticipantsTwo hundred six adults.Main outcome measuresWaist circumference, body mass index, and waist-to-hip ratio.AnalysisFood patterns were derived using factor analysis.ResultsThree 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, R2 = 0.22, P < .001) among overweight/obese individuals. Alterations in waist circumference was better predicted by increased WDP score (β = .49, R2 = 0.21, P < .01) than by increased HDP score (β = -.20, R2 = 0.11, P < .05). Subjects in the higher quartile of increased HDP score had lesser change in waist-to-hip ratio (β = -.77, R2 = 0.43, P < .01).Conclusions and ImplicationsResults of this study indicate that increased adherence to the WDP and decreased adherence to the HDP could contribute to obesity.