Dietary patterns of school-age children in Scotland: association with socio-economic indicators, physical activity and obesity.

摘要

The Survey of Sugar Intake among Children in Scotland was carried out in May to Sept. 2006. This study aimed to identify dietary patterns in school-aged children from the survey and to investigate associations with socioeconomic factors, obesity and physical activity. Habitual diet was assessed using the Scottish Collaborative Group FFQ. Height and wt. were measured by trained fieldworkers. A total of 1233 FFQ were available for analysis. Dietary patterns were identified by age (5-11 and 12-17 yr) and sex using principal components analysis. Associations between factor scores and socioeconomic status, education level of the main food provider, physical activity levels and BMI category (based on UK 1990 charts) were examined. 3 dietary patterns were identified in each age and sex group. 'Healthier' patterns loading highly for fruit and vegetables were significantly associated with higher socioeconomic status and higher education levels of the main food provider whereas more 'unhealthy' patterns ('snacks' and 'puddings') were associated with lower socioeconomic status and lower education levels of the main food provider. There was no consistent association between dietary patterns and BMI group or time spent in physical activity. However, inactivity (screen time) was inversely associated with 'healthier' patterns in all age and sex groups and positively associated with 'puddings' and 'snacks' in girls aged 5-11 yr. Clear dietary patterns can be identified in school-age children in Scotland, which are consistently related to socioeconomic factors and inactivity. This has implications for targeting health promotion at subgroups in terms of lifestyle changes required.