Browsing by Subject "Dietary patterns"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
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    The impact of acculturation and environmental change on dietary habits, weight gain, and cultural practices among Hmong adults and children in Minnesota.
    (2009-08) Franzen, Lisa
    This study assessed the impact of environmental change and acculturation on Hmong adults and children, who have lived in the United States (US) for varying amounts of time, by investigating changes in food system access, grocery purchasing influences, eating behavior, BMI, and health status. This research has shown how the combination of quantitative (Geographical Informational Systems software and census data, food store surveys, acculturation assessment, food frequency questionnaire, theory based survey) and qualitative (focus group discussions) methodologies has the potential to provide a more complete picture of how immigrants adapt to their new food environments. As more immigrants become introduced to food secure, obesogenic environments, such as the US, it will be important to examine how this transition impacts the health of current and future generations.
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    Major patterns of dietary intake in adolescents: identification, stability over time, socio-demographic and socio-environmental correlates, and association with obesity.
    (2010-10) Cutler, Gretchen Jean
    Purpose: Few studies have used data-driven dietary pattern analysis in adolescents, but it can be a useful method to summarize dietary intake. This dissertation had three aims: 1) describe the major patterns of dietary intake in a cohort of ethnically and socio-economically diverse adolescents, examine the stability of these patterns over a five-year period, and study the dietary profile of the identified patterns, 2) examine the socio-demographic and socio-environmental correlates of adherence to the indentified dietary patterns with specific regard to the dietary profile of these patterns (healthier vs. unhealthy), and 3) study the relationship between adherence to these healthier and unhealthy patterns and weight status. Methods: Data from the longitudinal Project EAT (Eating Among Teens) study were used in all analyses. Project EAT-I (Time 1), collected data on 4746 middle school (younger cohort) and high school (older cohort) students during the 1998-1999 academic year. Project EAT-II (Time 2) resurveyed 53% (n=2516) of the original cohort in 2003-2004. Dietary intake was assessed using the Youth/Adolescent Food Frequency Questionnaire at both time points. Principal components factor analysis was used to identify dietary patterns at Time 1 and Time 2. Multivariable linear regression was used to examine the relationship between socio-demographic and socio-environmental characteristics and factor scores for the identified dietary patterns. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the relationships between scores for each dietary pattern and risk for overweight/obese weight status. All models were run separately by age cohort and gender. Results: Four dietary patterns were identified at Time 1: vegetable, fruit, starchy food (e.g., mashed potatoes, pancakes), and sweet & salty snack food. Similar patterns were identified at Time 2, with the exception of a new `fast food' pattern. Multiple socio-demographic and socio-environmental characteristics were found to be significantly associated with adherence to healthier and unhealthy patterns of dietary intake. Socio-economic status, family meal frequency, healthy home food availability, and parental and peer support for healthy eating were positively associated with adherence to the healthier patterns, and inversely associated with the unhealthy patterns. The opposite relationships were seen for availability of unhealthy food in the home. Inverse associations were seen between the healthier vegetable and fruit patterns and overweight/obese weight status in girls, while inverse associations between the unhealthy `sweet & salty snack food' pattern and overweight/obese status were found in boys. Conclusion: Dietary patterns were identified in this adolescent population that were analogous across gender and age cohorts, and were relatively similar over time, with the exception a new "fast food" pattern identified at Time 2. The nutrient profile showed that the identified dietary patterns reflect intake of important nutrients and food groups, underscoring the value of this method to summarize dietary data in adolescent populations. Multiple correlates of dietary patterns were identified in adolescents in both cross-sectional and prospective analyses, including modifiable characteristics that may be possible targets for dietary interventions. Consistent or intuitive associations were not found between dietary patterns and weight status. Identified patterns may not capture the elements of diet that are truly important in determining adolescent weight, or diet may not be the primary driver in determining weight status at this age.
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    Minnesota wrestling nutrition study.
    (2010-07) Strand, Andrew Taylor
    Summary: The dietary intakes of Minnesota NCAA wrestlers varies within the competitive season among weight classes for specific nutrient components [dairy servings per 1,000 kcal higher in high weight wrestlers, lower intakes of CHO and % energy from CHO in low weight wrestlers, and higher intakes of alcohol in low-weight wrestlers]. There were no differences in selected nutritional components during the off-season by weight-class and overall, % energy from CHO decreased from the competitive season to the off-season. Disordered eating behaviors/attitudes still exist during the competitive season and midweight wrestlers exhibited higher EAT-26 scores as compared to high-weight wrestlers. Previous year varsity wrestlers also exhibited higher EAT-26 scores during the wrestling season as compared to previous year non-varsity wrestlers. There is still a high prevalence of athletes reporting prohibited weight-loss behavior as compared to previous research. Logistic regression demonstrated a possible relationship between increased EAT-26 scores and age, years on current team, varsity status, gradual dieting, restricting fluids and increased exercise. There was a significant decrease in EAT-26 scores from the competitive wrestling season to the off-season. Further NCAA rules regulation and research needs to be instituted to continually ensure the safety of these athletes.