Dietary patterns and their associations with general obesity and abdominal obesity among young Chinese women

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Dietary patterns represent the combined effects of foods and efficaciously illustrate the impact of diet on health outcomes. This study identified the dietary patterns and determined their relationships with obesity among young Chinese women. SUBJECTS/METHODS: In 2011, the China Health and Nutrition Survey included 2363 young women aged 18-44 years. Factor analysis of data from three consecutive 24-h dietary recalls identified the dietary patterns. Weight, height and waist circumstance (WC) were measured, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. General obesity was defined as BMI >= 28 kg/m(2) and abdominal obesity as WC >= 85 cm. RESULTS: Four dietary patterns were identified: traditional south; traditional north; snack; and high protein. After adjusting for confounders and energy intake, women in the highest-score quintiles of the traditional south pattern were less likely to have general obesity (odds ratio (OR) = 0.48; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.29-0.78) and abdominal obesity (OR = 0.64; 95% CI 0.46-0.90). Subjects in the highest-score quintiles of the traditional north pattern had significantly greater risk of general obesity (OR = 2.28; 95% CI 1.38-3.74) and of abdominal obesity (OR = 2.32; 95% CI 1.66-3.24). CONCLUSION: The traditional south pattern of rice as the major staple food with pork and vegetable dishes is associated with lower risk of general and abdominal obesity. The traditional north pattern of high intake of wheat, other cereals and tubers is positively associated with general and abdominal obesity. This provides important information for interventions and policies addressing obesity prevention among young Chinese women.