scholarly journals Do dietary patterns influence cognitive function in old age?

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 1393-1407 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janie Corley ◽  
John M. Starr ◽  
Geraldine McNeill ◽  
Ian J. Deary
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Ability ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Dietary Patterns ◽  
Dietary Pattern ◽  
Verbal Ability ◽  
Adult Reading ◽  
The Mediterranean

ABSTRACTBackground:Evidence from observational studies to date suggests that healthy dietary patterns are associated with better cognitive performance in later life. We examined the extent to which childhood intelligence quotient (IQ) and socioeconomic status account for this association.Methods:Analyses were carried out on 882 participants in the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936 Study. Four dietary patterns were extracted using principal components analysis of a food frequency questionnaire, namely “Mediterranean-style,” “health aware,” “traditional,” and “sweet foods.” Cognitive function was assessed at the age of 70 years, including general (g) cognitive ability, processing speed, memory, and verbal ability.Results:Before adjustment for childhood IQ and socioeconomic status, the “Mediterranean-style” dietary pattern was associated with significantly better cognitive performance (effect size as partial eta-square (ηp2) range = 0.005 to 0.055), and the “traditional” dietary pattern was associated with poorer performance on all cognitive domains measured in old age (ηp2 = 0.009 to 0.103). After adjustment for childhood IQ (measured at the age of 11 years) and socioeconomic status, statistical significance was lost for most associations, with the exception of verbal ability and the “Mediterranean-style” pattern (National Adult Reading Test (NART) ηp2 = 0.006 and Wechsler Test of Adult Reading (WTAR) ηp2 = 0.013), and the “traditional” pattern (NART ηp2 = 0.035 and WTAR ηp2 = 0.027).Conclusions:Our results suggest a pattern of reverse causation or confounding; a higher childhood cognitive ability (and adult socioeconomic status) predicts adherence to a “healthy” diet and better cognitive performance in old age. Our models show no direct link between diet and cognitive performance in old age; instead they are related via the lifelong-stable trait of intelligence.

scholarly journals Mediterranean, DASH, and MIND Dietary Patterns and Cognitive Function: The 2-Year Longitudinal Changes in an Older Spanish Cohort

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie K. Nishi ◽  
Nancy Babio ◽  
Carlos Gómez-Martínez ◽  
Miguel Ángel Martínez-González ◽  
Emilio Ros ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Dietary Patterns ◽  
Dietary Pattern ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease Risk ◽  
A Priori ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Overweight Or Obesity

Background and Aims: Plant-forward dietary patterns have been associated with cardiometabolic health benefits, which, in turn, have been related to cognitive performance with inconsistent findings. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between baseline adherence to three a priori dietary patterns (Mediterranean, DASH, and MIND diets) with 2-year changes in cognitive performance in older adults with overweight or obesity and high cardiovascular disease risk.Methods: A prospective cohort analysis was conducted within the PREDIMED-Plus trial, involving 6,647 men and women aged 55–75 years with overweight or obesity and metabolic syndrome. Using a validated, semiquantitative 143-item food frequency questionnaire completed at baseline, the dietary pattern adherence scores were calculated. An extensive neuropsychological test battery was administered at baseline and 2-year follow-up. Multivariable-adjusted linear regression models were used to assess associations between 2-year changes in cognitive function z-scores across tertiles of baseline adherence to the a priori dietary patterns.Results: Adherence to the Mediterranean diet at baseline was associated with 2-year changes in the general cognitive screening Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE, β: 0.070; 95% CI: 0.014, 0.175, P-trend = 0.011), and two executive function-related assessments: the Trail Making Tests Part A (TMT-A, β: −0.054; 95% CI: −0.110, − 0.002, P-trend = 0.047) and Part B (TMT-B, β: −0.079; 95% CI: −0.134, −0.024, P-trend = 0.004). Adherence to the MIND diet was associated with the backward recall Digit Span Test assessment of working memory (DST-B, β: 0.058; 95% CI: 0.002, 0.114, P-trend = 0.045). However, higher adherence to the DASH dietary pattern was not associated with better cognitive function over a period of 2 years.Conclusion: In older Spanish individuals with overweight or obesity and at high cardiovascular disease risk, higher baseline adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern may be associated with better cognitive performance than lower adherence over a period of 2 years.

Serum cholesterol and cognitive functions: the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936

2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 439-453 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janie Corley ◽  
John M. Starr ◽  
Ian J. Deary
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Cognitive Ability ◽  
Birth Cohort ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Serum Cholesterol ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Verbal Ability ◽  
Older Age ◽  
Lothian Birth Cohort ◽  
Statin Use

ABSTRACTBackground:We examined the associations between serum cholesterol measures, statin use, and cognitive function measured in childhood and in old age. The possibility that lifelong (trait) cognitive ability accounts for any cross-sectional associations between cholesterol and cognitive performance in older age, seen in observational studies, has not been tested to date.Methods:Participants were 1,043 men and women from the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936 Study, most of whom had participated in a nationwide IQ-type test in childhood (Scottish Mental Survey of 1947), and were followed up at about age 70 years. Serum cholesterol measures included total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides, and cholesterol:HDL cholesterol ratio. Cognitive outcome measures were age 70 IQ (using the same test as at age 11 years), general cognitive ability (g), processing speed, memory, and verbal ability.Results:Higher TC, higher HDL-C, and lower triglycerides were associated with higher age 70 cognitive scores in most cognitive domains. These relationships were no longer significant after covarying for childhood IQ, with the exception a markedly attenuated association between TC and processing speed, and triglycerides and age 70 IQ. In the fully adjusted model, all conventionally significant (p < 0.05) effects were removed. Childhood IQ predicted statin use in old age. Statin users had lower g, processing speed, and verbal ability scores at age 70 years after covarying for childhood IQ, but significance was lost after adjusting for TC levels.Conclusions:These results suggest that serum cholesterol and cognitive function are associated in older age via the lifelong stable trait of intelligence. Potential mechanisms, including lifestyle factors, are discussed.

scholarly journals Sex differences in the relationship between dietary pattern adherence and cognitive function among older adults: Findings from the NuAge study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle D’Amico ◽  
Matthew D. Parrott ◽  
Carol E. Greenwood ◽  
Guylaine Ferland ◽  
Pierrette Gaudreau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Dietary Patterns ◽  
Dietary Pattern ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Western Dietary Pattern ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background: Consumption of a prudent dietary pattern rich in healthy nutrients is associated with enhanced cognitive performance in older adulthood, while a Western dietary pattern low in healthy nutrients is associated with poor age-related cognitive function. Sex differences exist in dietary intake among older adults; however, there is a paucity of research examining the relationship between sex-specific dietary patterns and cognitive function in later life. Methods: The current study aimed to investigate sex differences in the relationship between sex-specific dietary pattern adherence and global cognitive function at baseline and over a 3-year follow-up in 1268 community-dwelling older adults (Mage=74 years, n = 664 women, n = 612 men) from the Quebec Longitudinal Study on Nutrition and Successful Aging (NuAge). A 78-item Food Frequency Questionnaire was used to estimate dietary intake over the previous year. Sex-specific dietary pattern scores were derived using principal component analysis. Global cognition was assessed using the Modified Mini-Mental State Examination (3MS). Results: Adjusted linear mixed effects models indicated that a healthy, prudent dietary pattern was not associated with baseline cognitive performance in men or women. No relationship was found between Western dietary pattern adherence and baseline cognitive function in women. Among men, adherence to an unhealthy, Western dietary pattern was associated with poorer baseline cognitive function (b = -0.652, p = 0.02, 95% CI [-1.22, -0.65]). No association was found between prudent or Western dietary patterns and cognitive change over time in men or women. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of conducting sex-based analyses in aging research and suggest that the relationship between dietary pattern adherence and cognitive function in late life may be sex-dependent.

scholarly journals Sex differences in the relationship between dietary pattern adherence and cognitive function among older adults: Findings from the NuAge study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle D’Amico ◽  
Matthew D. Parrott ◽  
Carol E. Greenwood ◽  
Guylaine Ferland ◽  
Pierrette Gaudreau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Dietary Patterns ◽  
Dietary Pattern ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Western Dietary Pattern ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background Consumption of a prudent dietary pattern rich in healthy nutrients is associated with enhanced cognitive performance in older adulthood, while a Western dietary pattern low in healthy nutrients is associated with poor age-related cognitive function. Sex differences exist in dietary intake among older adults; however, there is a paucity of research examining the relationship between sex-specific dietary patterns and cognitive function in later life. Methods The current study aimed to investigate sex differences in the relationship between sex-specific dietary pattern adherence and global cognitive function at baseline and over a 3-year follow-up in 1268 community-dwelling older adults ( M age =74 years, 52% women) from the Quebec Longitudinal Study on Nutrition and Successful Aging (NuAge). A Food Frequency Questionnaire was used to estimate dietary intake. Sex-specific dietary pattern scores were derived using principal component analysis. Global cognition was assessed using the Modified Mini-Mental State Examination (3MS). Results Adjusted linear mixed effects models indicated that a healthy, prudent dietary pattern was not associated with baseline cognitive performance in men or women. No relationship was found between Western dietary pattern adherence and baseline cognitive function in women. Among men, adherence to an unhealthy, Western dietary pattern was associated with poorer baseline cognitive function ( β = -0.652, p = 0.02). No association was found between prudent or Western dietary patterns and cognitive change over time in men or women. Conclusions These findings highlight the importance of conducting sex-based analyses in aging research and suggest that the relationship between dietary pattern adherence and cognitive function in late life may be sex-dependent.

scholarly journals Gender Differences in the Association Between Leisure Activity in Adulthood and Cognitive Function in Old Age: A Prospective Longitudinal Population-Based Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda B Hassing
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Spatial Ability ◽  
Cognitive Aging ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Verbal Ability ◽  
Leisure Activity ◽  
Cultural Activity ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal

Abstract Objectives To examine the long-term association between leisure activities in adulthood and cognitive function in old age while recognizing gender differences in activity profiles. Methods The sample included 340 cognitively healthy twins enrolled in the OCTO-Twin Study, a longitudinal study on cognitive aging. Leisure activity was measured in midlife and cognitive function in old age (mean age 83). Leisure activities covered the domains of domestic, intellectual–cultural, and self-improvement activities. The cognitive assessments comprised 5 measurement occasions (2-year intervals) covering verbal ability, spatial ability, memory, and speed. The association between leisure activity and cognitive function was estimated separately for the genders using growth curve models, adjusting for age and education. Results Men and women had the same level of total leisure activity but differed in activity profiles and in the associations between activity and cognitive function. Higher engagement in self-improvement among men was related to higher level of cognitive functioning. Among women, intellectual–cultural activity was related to better verbal ability and memory. Concerning trajectories of cognitive function, domestic activity among men was related to less decline in speed, whereas for women it was related to steeper decline in spatial ability and memory. Further, higher intellectual–cultural activity among women was related to steeper decline in memory. Discussion Cognitively stimulating activities (i.e., self-improvement and intellectual–cultural), might increase cognitive reserve whereas less cognitively stimulating activities (i.e., domestic) do not. Gender differences should be considered when examining lifestyle factors in relation to cognitive aging.

Abstract 13: Adherence to Various Dietary Patterns and Risk of Recurrent Coronary Heart Disease and Mortality in the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) Study

Circulation ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 135 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
James M Shikany ◽  
Monika M Safford ◽  
Joanna Bryan ◽  
PK Newby ◽  
Joshua S Richman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Racial Differences ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Dietary Patterns ◽  
Dietary Pattern ◽  
Lower Risk ◽  
Proportional Hazards ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazards ◽  
Mediterranean Diet Score ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Diet Score

Background: We have shown that the Southern dietary pattern, characterized by added fats, fried foods, organ and processed meats, and sugar-sweetened beverages, is associated with a greater risk of incident CHD in REGARDS, a national, population-based, longitudinal cohort. We sought to determine if the Southern pattern, other dietary patterns, and the Mediterranean diet score were associated with CHD events and mortality in REGARDS participants who previously reported CHD. Methods: REGARDS enrolled white and black adults aged ≥45 years between 2003-2007. Data were analyzed from 3,562 participants with CHD at baseline. Participants completed an FFQ at baseline, from which 5 dietary patterns were derived through factor analysis (Table). The Mediterranean diet score was calculated for each participant. Expert-adjudicated CHD events included myocardial infarction and CHD death. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to model the association of the dietary patterns and score with CHD events and death, adjusting for sociodemographics, lifestyle factors, energy intake, anthropometrics, and medical conditions. Results: Over 7 years of follow-up, there were 581 recurrent CHD events and 1,098 deaths. In fully-adjusted analyses, the highest quartile of adherence to the alcohol/salads pattern and highest group of the Mediterranean diet score were associated with lower risk of recurrent CHD compared to the lowest quartile/group (HR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.59 – 0.98, HR: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.62 – 0.98, respectively). The highest quartile of adherence to the Southern pattern was associated with higher mortality (HR: 1.57; 95% CI: 1.28 – 1.91), while the highest group of the Mediterranean diet score was associated with lower mortality (HR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.68 – 0.95). Conclusions: While the Southern dietary pattern was not related to risk of recurrent CHD, it was associated with higher mortality in REGARDS participants with existing CHD. Greater adherence to a Mediterranean diet was associated with lower risk of recurrent CHD and mortality.

scholarly journals Dietary Patterns and Cardiometabolic Outcomes in Diabetes: A Summary of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 2209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hana Kahleova ◽  
Jordi Salas-Salvadó ◽  
Dario Rahelić ◽  
Cyril WC Kendall ◽  
Emilie Rembert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Coronary Heart Disease ◽  
Heart Disease ◽  
Dietary Patterns ◽  
Dietary Pattern ◽  
Cardiometabolic Risk ◽  
Cardiometabolic Risk Factors ◽  
Liquid Meal ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Meta Analyses

The Diabetes and Nutrition Study Group (DNSG) of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) conducted a review of existing systematic reviews and meta-analyses to explain the relationship between different dietary patterns and patient-important cardiometabolic outcomes. To update the clinical practice guidelines for nutrition therapy in the prevention and management of diabetes, we summarize the evidence from these evidence syntheses for the Mediterranean, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH), Portfolio, Nordic, liquid meal replacement, and vegetarian dietary patterns. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to assess the quality of evidence. We summarized the evidence for disease incidence outcomes and risk factor outcomes using risk ratios (RRs) and mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), respectively. The Mediterranean diet showed a cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence (RR: 0.62; 95%CI, 0.50, 0.78), and non-significant CVD mortality (RR: 0.67; 95%CI, 0.45, 1.00) benefit. The DASH dietary pattern improved cardiometabolic risk factors (P < 0.05) and was associated with the decreased incidence of CVD (RR, 0.80; 95%CI, 0.76, 0.85). Vegetarian dietary patterns were associated with improved cardiometabolic risk factors (P < 0.05) and the reduced incidence (0.72; 95%CI: 0.61, 0.85) and mortality (RR, 0.78; 95%CI, 0.69, 0.88) of coronary heart disease. The Portfolio dietary pattern improved cardiometabolic risk factors and reduced estimated 10-year coronary heart disease (CHD) risk by 13% (−1.34% (95%CI, −2.19 to −0.49)). The Nordic dietary pattern was correlated with decreased CVD (0.93 (95%CI, 0.88, 0.99)) and stroke incidence (0.87 (95%CI, 0.77, 0.97)) and, along with liquid meal replacements, improved cardiometabolic risk factors (P < 0.05). The evidence was assessed as low to moderate certainty for most dietary patterns and outcome pairs. Current evidence suggests that the Mediterranean, DASH, Portfolio, Nordic, liquid meal replacement and vegetarian dietary patterns have cardiometabolic advantages in populations inclusive of diabetes.

scholarly journals Healthy dietary patterns from food diaries and FFQ are not associated with colorectal cancer risk: results from the UKWCS

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Petra Jones ◽  
Janet Cade ◽  
Charlotte Evans ◽  
Neil Hancock ◽  
Darren Greenwood
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Cancer Risk ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Dietary Patterns ◽  
Dietary Pattern ◽  
Colorectal Cancer Risk ◽  
Mediterranean Diet Score ◽  
Bland Altman Method ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Diet Score

AbstractDietary pattern analyses have most commonly used food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) data for large population studies, whilst food diaries (FD) tend to be used with smaller datasets and followed up for shorter terms, restricting the possibility of a direct comparison. Studies comparing dietary patterns derived from two different assessment methods, in relation to diet and disease are limited. The aims of this study are to assess the agreement between dietary patterns derived from FFQ and FDs and to compare the associations between the Mediterranean dietary pattern and the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute of Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) dietary pattern in relation to colorectal cancer incidence.The study population included 2276 healthy middle-aged women – participants of the UK Women's Cohort Study. Energy and nutrient intakes, derived from 4-day FDs and from a 217-item FFQ were compared. A 10 and an 8-component score indicating adherence to the Mediterranean diet and to the 2007 WCRF/AICR cancer prevention recommendations respectively were generated. Agreement was assessed by weighted Kappa statistics and the Bland-Altman method. Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for colorectal cancer risk for both the FD and the FFQ patterns, for each score separately.The Bland-Altman method showed that the FFQ gave a higher energy intake compared to the FD with a bias of -525 kcal (95% CI -556, -493) between the two methods. Agreement was slight for the Mediterranean diet score (Κ = 0.15; 95% CI: 0.14, 0.16) and fair for the WCRF/AICR score (Κ = 0.38; 95% CI: 0.37, 0.39). A total of 173 incident cases of colorectal cancer were documented. In the multi-variable adjusted models, the estimates for an association with colorectal cancer were weak: HR = 0.94 (95% CI: 0.83 to 1.06) for a 1-unit increment in the Mediterranean diet score using FD and HR = 1.01 (95% CI: 0.83 to 1.24) for a 1-unit increment in the WCRF/AICR score using FD. For scores derived from the FFQ, estimates were inverse, but weak (HR = 0.80 (95% CI: 0.90 to 1.00) for a 1-unit increment in the Mediterranean diet score using FFQ and HR = 0.84 (95% CI: 0.67 to 1.05) for a 1-unit increment in the WCRF/AICR score using FFQ.There is insufficient evidence of an association of colorectal cancer risk with the Mediterranean dietary pattern or with the WCRF/AICR cancer prevention recommendations, irrespective of the dietary assessment method in this sample. Further studies with larger sample sizes, using FD for diet assessment are warranted.

scholarly journals Maternal Dietary Patterns during Pregnancy and Their Association with Gestational Weight Gain and Nutrient Adequacy

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (21) ◽  
pp. 7908
Author(s):  
Naomi Cano-Ibáñez ◽  
Juan Miguel Martínez-Galiano ◽  
Miguel Angel Luque-Fernández ◽  
Sandra Martín-Peláez ◽  
Aurora Bueno-Cavanillas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Gestational Weight Gain ◽  
Dietary Patterns ◽  
Dietary Pattern ◽  
Mediterranean Dietary Pattern ◽  
Nutrient Adequacy ◽  
Gestational Weight ◽  
The Mediterranean

Several epidemiologic studies have shown an association between Gestational Weight Gain (GWG) and offspring complications. The GWG is directly linked to maternal dietary intake and women’s nutritional status during pregnancy. The aim of this study was (1) to assess, in a sample of Spanish pregnant women, the association between maternal dietary patterns and GWG and (2) to assess maternal dietary patterns and nutrient adequate intake according to GWG. A retrospective study was conducted in a sample of 503 adult pregnant women in five hospitals in Eastern Andalusia (Spain). Data on demographic characteristics, anthropometric values, and dietary intake were collected from clinical records by trained midwives. Usual food intake was gathered through a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), and dietary patterns were obtained by principal component analysis. Nutrient adequacy was defined according to European dietary intake recommendations for pregnant women. Regression models adjusted by confounding factors were constructed to study the association between maternal dietary pattern and GWG, and maternal dietary patterns and nutritional adequacy. A negative association was found between GWG and the Mediterranean dietary pattern (crude β = −0.06, 95% CI: −0.11, −0.04). Independent of maternal dietary pattern, nutrient adequacy of dietary fiber, vitamin B9, D, E, and iodine was related to a Mediterranean dietary pattern (p < 0.05). A Mediterranean dietary pattern is related to lower GWG and better nutrient adequacy. The promotion of healthy dietary behavior consistent with the general advice promoted by the Mediterranean Diet (based on legumes, vegetables, nuts, olive oil, and whole cereals) will offer healthful, sustainable, and practical strategies to control GWG and ensure adequate nutrient intake during pregnancy.

scholarly journals Dietary patterns in early childhood and child cognitive and psychomotor development: the Rhea mother–child cohort study in Crete

2016 ◽  
Vol 115 (8) ◽  
pp. 1431-1437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasiliki Leventakou ◽  
Theano Roumeliotaki ◽  
Katerina Sarri ◽  
Katerina Koutra ◽  
Mariza Kampouri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Cognitive Ability ◽  
Dietary Patterns ◽  
Verbal Ability ◽  
Preschool Age ◽  
Psychomotor Development ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Posterior Cortex ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Impact

AbstractEarly-life nutrition is critical for optimal brain development; however, few studies have evaluated the impact of diet as a whole in early childhood on neurological development with inconsistent results. The present analysis is a cross-sectional study nested within an ongoing prospective birth cohort, the Rhea study, and aims to examine the association of dietary patterns with cognitive and psychomotor development in 804 preschool (mean age 4·2 years) children. Parents completed a validated FFQ, and dietary patterns were identified using principal component analysis. Child cognitive and psychomotor development was assessed by the McCarthy Scales of Children’s Abilities (MSCA). Multivariable linear regression models were used to investigate the associations of dietary patterns with the MSCA scales. After adjustment for a large number of confounding factors, the ‘Snacky’ pattern (potatoes and other starchy roots, salty snacks, sugar products and eggs) was negatively associated with the scales of verbal ability (β=−1·31; 95 % CI −2·47, −0·16), general cognitive ability (β=−1·13; 95 % CI −2·25, −0·02) and cognitive functions of the posterior cortex (β=−1·20; 95 % CI −2·34, −0·07). Further adjustment for maternal intelligence, folic acid supplementation and alcohol use during pregnancy attenuated the observed associations, but effect estimates remained at the same direction. The ‘Western’ and the ‘Mediterranean’ patterns were not associated with child neurodevelopmental scales. The present findings suggest that poorer food choices at preschool age characterised by foods high in fat, salt and sugar are associated with reduced scores in verbal and cognitive ability.

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