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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #243166

Title: Eating Patterns and Overweight Status in Young Adults: The Bogalusa Heart Study

Author
item MOHINDRA, NISHA - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item NICKLAS, THERESA - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item O'NEIL, CAROL - Louisiana State University
item YANG, SU-JAU - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item BERENSON, GERALD - Tulane School Of Public Health

Submitted to: International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/3/2008
Publication Date: 5/21/2009
Citation: Mohindra, N.A., Nicklas, T.A., O'Neil, C.E., Yang, S.T., Berenson, G.S. 2009. Eating patterns and overweight status in young adults: The Bogalusa Heart Study. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition. 60(S3):14-25.

Interpretive Summary: In this study, eating patterns were associated with overweight in young adults. However, the eating patterns explained only 1-2% of the variance in BMI. Thus, 97% of the variance is unexplained. More studies are needed to better understand how eating patterns are associated with overweight before policy changes are made. Targeting single eating patterns in obesity intervention programs may not be the best approach. This is possibly reflected in the modest-to no-effect being observed with this approach.

Technical Abstract: Several studies have focused on the association between eating patterns and obesity. However, the findings have not been consistent. The goal of the present study was to identify the eating patterns associated with overweight among young adults aged 19-28 years (n = 504) in Bogalusa, Louisiana. Food intake was determined using a single 24-h dietary recall, and height and weights were measured to determine the body mass index. The association between eating patterns and overweight status was evaluated using logistic regression and analysis of covariance. Twenty-four percent of young adults were overweight and 18% were obese, with the highest prevalence of obesity seen among black females. The percentage gram consumption of fruit/fruit juices (P < 0.01) was negatively associated with overweight status, and diet beverage consumption (P < 0.05) was positively associated with obesity. Eating patterns are associated with overweight status in young adults; however, the amount of variance explained in the body mass index was very small.