Using factor analysis to identify dietary patterns in Iranian adults: Isfahan healthy heart program

摘要

Objective: To identify dietary patterns of a representative sample of Iranian adults using factor analysis. Methods: This study was conducted in 2000-2001 as the baseline survey of Isfahan Healthy Heart Program (IHHP). We studied 12,514 participants aged ≥19 years who were randomly selected in three counties of Central Iran. A validated 48-item food frequency questionnaire was completed and factor analysis was used to identify dietary patterns. Results: Four major dietary patterns were identified, namely "Western", "animal fat", "traditional" and "Mediterranean". In both men and women, we found a significant positive relationship between age and Mediterranean diet, and a negative relationship between age and the other three dietary patterns (P < 0.001). The Western and traditional dietary patterns showed a significant negative relationship with education in both genders (P < 0.01). The Western dietary pattern correlated positively with being single, widowed, or a divorced man (P < 0.001). Conclusions: We identified four major dietary patterns. As dietary pattern analysis is useful to identify dietary behaviors in relation to health risks, the results can be practical.