Influence of socio-determinant factors on dietary patterns in Mexican children and adolescents

The prevalence of overweight and obesity in Mexico is among the highest in the world. One-quarter of all school-age Mexicans, and more than one-third of adolescents, are overweight or obese. In this study we sought to examine the influence of social determinant factors on daily dietary patterns of Mexican children and adolescents. We conducted a cross-sectional study with 884 participants between the ages of four to 17. Participants were interviewed to obtain demographic information and family health history. A semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) consisting of 105 food items was administered and three major dietary patterns were identified: diverse foods (D), high fat and processed foods (HFPF), and high sugar content foods (HS). Anthropometric measurements of participants was obtained to determined BMI. Statistical analysis using STATA was performed on selected dietary and socio-demographic characteristics and compared between dietary patterns.The HS pattern, consumed by 51% of the study population, fast food group accounted for 186.15% of the total energy intake, median energy intake, total carbohydrate, total fat, saturated fats, and monosaturated fats intake were significantly higher in the HS dietary patterns. Among Participants who consumed the HS dietary pattern, 36% of fathers completed an education level of secondary school or less, 44% of mother had a high school level education and 56% of participants' mother reported xinformal employmentx for occupation. Moreover, among overweight participant, singly, history of obesity in the grandparents of the participants was found to influence the HS dietary pattern. Socio-determinant factors play a crucial role in children diets.