Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #211321
Title: Demographic differences and food patterns associated with metabolic syndrome in young adults

Author
item O'NEIL, CAROL - LOUISIANA STATE UNIV
item Nicklas, Theresa
item DESHMUKH-TASKAR, PRIYA - BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MED
item BERENSON, GERALD - TULANE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Diabetes
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/25/2007
Publication Date: 4/25/2007
Citation: O'Neil, C.E., Nicklas, T.A., Deshmukh-Taskar, P., Berenson, G.S. 2007. Demographic differences and food patterns associated with metabolic syndrome in young adults [abstract]. Journal of the International Society of Diabetes and Vascular Disease. 4(Suppl 1):S85.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Little is known about risk factors for metabolic syndrome (MS) in young adults. Intake was collected on 1,012 young adults (20-38 years) (61% female; 26% black) using a food-frequency questionnaire. Demographics, anthropometrics, blood pressure, insulin sensitivity, and lipid profiles were quantified; a risk score for MS was calculated. Food items were placed into 36 predefined food groups; factor analysis retained two factors: a 'Typical Western Food Pattern' (TWFP) of refined grains, high-fat dairy, red/processed meats, eggs, cheese dishes, French-fries, snacks, sweets and sweetened beverages, and a 'Healthier Western Food Pattern' (HWFP) of whole grains, low-fat salad dressing, vegetables, fruit, 100% fruit juice, and low-fat dairy. Linear regression assessed the association between these patterns and health outcomes; ANOVA tested mean intake differences in the patterns by socioeconomic status (SES). The factors explained 31% of the variance. Waist circumference, triceps skin folds, systolic blood pressure, triacylgylcerols (0.05< p<0.1 for all) and risk for MS (p<0.01) were inversely associated with HWFP. Insulin sensitivity was positively associated with HWFP (p<0.01) and serum HDL cholesterol was negatively associated with TWFP (0.05< p<0.1). Blacks (p<0.0001) and males (p<0.0001) consumed more servings from the TWFP than whites and females. Among all ethnicity-by-gender groups, white females consumed the fewest servings from TWFP (p<0.0001). Those with higher income (p<0.05) and more education (p<0.01) consumed more servings of foods from the HWFP. Food patterns of young adults are linked with ethnicity and SES, and with risk factors for MS.