Understanding dietary predictors of overweight is of national public health concern in light of the obesity epidemic. We investigated relationships between dietary patterns and the development of overweight over 12 years of follow-up among women in the Framingham Offspring/Spouse Study. Dietary patterns were characterized among 1828 women at baseline by applying cluster analysis to data from a 145-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. The five dietary patterns that emerged were: Heart Healthy, Light Eating, Wine and Moderate Eating, High Fat, and Empty Calorie. Clusters of women differed from one another in terms of food group consumption, nutrient intake, and risk factor profiles. A subset of 737 women who were lean at baseline (Body Mass Index (BMI) < 24) were followed over 12 years for the development of overweight (BMI > 25). The crude risk of overweight was 29% overall, ranging from 22% of women in the Wine and Moderate Eating cluster to 41% of women in the Empty Calorie cluster. Compared with women who ate a lower-fat, nutritionally varied Heart Healthy diet, women who ate an Empty Calorie diet that was rich in sweets and fats with fewer servings of fruits, vegetables, and lean food choices were at highest risk for developing overweight [RR 1.67, 95% CI (1.07, 2.61)] after adjusting for baseline age, smoking status, menopausal status, and usual weight pattern. Behavioral interventions for weight management and obesity prevention need to creatively address differences in eating patterns and dietary quality among subgroups of the population.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to: 1. Describe relationships observed between dietary patterns and risk of becoming overweight among women; 2. Identify dietary behaviors that warrent targeted intervention for obesity prevention; 3. Articulate implications for health communications and health promotion activities.
Keywords: Dietary Assessment, Obesity
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: The Framingham Offspring/Spouse Study
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.