scholarly journals Diet quality in young adults and its association with food-related behaviours

2013 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. 1767-1775 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maree G Thorpe ◽  
Mark Kestin ◽  
Lynn J Riddell ◽  
Russell SJ Keast ◽  
Sarah A McNaughton

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the diet quality of a group of young adults and explore its associations with two food-related behaviours (involvement in meal preparation and consumption of commercially prepared meals).DesignCross-sectional study of young adults. Sample characteristics, food-related behaviours and dietary intake were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire including an FFQ. Diet quality was measured using the fifteen-item Dietary Guideline Index (DGI) designed to assess adherence to Australian dietary guidelines. One-way ANOVA, t tests and multiple linear regression analyses were used to explore the relationships between DGI scores, sample characteristics and food-related behaviours.SettingUniversity students enrolled in an undergraduate nutrition class, Melbourne, Australia.SubjectsStudents (n 309) aged 18–36 years.ResultsThe DGI score was normally distributed, with a mean score of 93·4 (sd 17·1) points (range 51·9–127·4 points), out of a possible score of 150 points. In multivariate analyses adjusted for age, sex, nationality, BMI and maternal education, cooking meals for oneself was positively associated with DGI score (β = 0·15; 95 % CI 1·15, 10·03; P = 0·01); frequency of takeaway and frequency of convenience meal consumption were inversely associated with DGI score (β = −0·21; 95 % CI −9·96, −2·32; P = 0·002 and β = −0·16; 95 % CI −7·40, −0·97; P < 0·01, respectively).ConclusionsCooking meals for oneself was linked to higher diet quality among young adults, while consumption of commercially prepared meals was associated with poorer diet quality. Maintaining education programmes that promote cooking skills within young adults has the potential to improve DGI scores.

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 477-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn Backholer ◽  
Elizabeth Spencer ◽  
Emma Gearon ◽  
Dianna J Magliano ◽  
Sarah A McNaughton ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveWe aimed to investigate the association between multiple measures of socio-economic position (SEP) and diet quality, using a diet quality index representing current national dietary guidelines, in the Australian adult population.DesignCross-sectional study. Linear regression analyses were used to estimate the association between indicators of SEP (educational attainment, level of income and area-level disadvantage) and diet quality (measured using the Dietary Guideline Index (DGI)) in the total sample and stratified by sex and age (≤55 years and >55 years).SettingA large randomly selected sample of the Australian adult population.SubjectsAustralian adults (n 9296; aged ≥25 years) from the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle Study.ResultsA higher level of educational attainment and income and a lower level of area-level disadvantage were significantly associated with a higher DGI score, across the gradient of SEP. The association between indicators of SEP and DGI score was consistently stronger among those aged ≤55 years compared with their older counterparts. The most disadvantaged group had a DGI score between 2 and 5 units lower (depending on the marker of SEP) compared with the group with the least disadvantage.ConclusionsA higher level of SEP was consistently associated with a higher level of diet quality for all indicators of SEP examined. In order to reduce socio-economic inequalities in diet quality, healthy eating initiatives need to act across the gradient of socio-economic disadvantage with a proportionate focus on those with greater socio-economic disadvantage.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-28
Author(s):  
Mariëlle G de Rijk ◽  
Anne I Slotegraaf ◽  
Elske M Brouwer-Brolsma ◽  
Corine WM Perenboom ◽  
Edith JM Feskens ◽  
...  

Abstract The Eetscore FFQ was developed to score the Dutch Healthy Diet index 2015 (DHD2015-index) representing the Dutch food-based dietary guidelines of 2015. This paper describes the development of the Eetscore FFQ, a short screener assessing diet quality, examines associations between diet quality and participants’ characteristics, and evaluates the relative validity and reproducibility of the Eetscore FFQ in a cross-sectional study with Dutch adults. The study sample consisted of 751 participants, aged 19-91 y, recruited from the EetMeetWeet research panel. The mean DHD2015-index score based on the Eetscore FFQ of the total sample was 111 (SD 17.5) out of a maximum score of 160 points and was significantly higher in women than in men, positively associated with age and education level, and inversely associated with BMI. The Kendall’s tau-b coefficient of the DHD2015- index between the Eetscore FFQ and the full-length FFQ (on average 1.7-month interval, n=565) was 0.51 (95% CI 0.47, 0.55), indicating an acceptable ranking ability. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) between DHD2015-index scores derived from two repeated Eetscore FFQs (on average 3.8-month interval, n=343) was 0.91 (95% CI: 0.89, 0.93) suggesting a very good reproducibility. In conclusion, the Eetscore FFQ was considered acceptable in ranking participants according to their diet quality compared with the full-length FFQ and showed good to excellent reproducibility.


2016 ◽  
Vol 115 (7) ◽  
pp. 1254-1264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sung-Wei Chen ◽  
Anne Peasey ◽  
Denes Stefler ◽  
Sofia Malyutina ◽  
Andrzej Pajak ◽  
...  

AbstractThe aims of this study were to investigate the associations between work stress defined by the effort–reward imbalance (ERI) model and diet quality and to examine the potential role of over-commitment (OC) personality in ERI–diet relationships. A cross-sectional study was conducted in random population samples of 6340 men and 5792 women (age 45–69 years) from the Czech Republic, Russia and Poland. Dietary data were collected using FFQ. The healthy diet indicator (HDI) was constructed using eight nutrient/food intakes (HDI components) to reflect the adherence to WHO dietary guideline. The extent of imbalance between effort and reward was measured by the effort:reward (ER) ratio; the effort score was the numerator and the reward score was multiplied by a factor adjusting for unequal number of items in the denominator. Logistic regression and linear regression were used to assess the associations between exposures (ER ratio and OC) and outcomes (HDI components and HDI) after adjustment for confounders and mediators. The results showed that high ER ratio and high OC were significantly associated with unhealthy diet quality. For a 1-sd increase in the ER ratio, HDI was reduced by 0·030 and 0·033 sd in men and women, and for a 1-sd increase in OC, HDI was decreased by 0·036 and 0·032 sd in men and women, respectively. The modifying role of OC in ERI–diet relationships was non-significant. To improve diet quality at workplace, a multiple-level approach combining organisational intervention for work stress and individual intervention for vulnerable personality is recommended.


2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 2001-2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Jarman ◽  
Hazel M Inskip ◽  
Georgia Ntani ◽  
Cyrus Cooper ◽  
Janis Baird ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveTo test the hypothesis that maternal psychological profiles relate to children’s quality of diet.DesignCross-sectional study. Mothers provided information on their health-related psychological factors and aspects of their child’s mealtime environment. Children’s diet quality was assessed using an FFQ from which weekly intakes of foods and a diet Z-score were calculated. A high score described children with a better quality diet. Cluster analysis was performed to assess grouping of mothers based on psychological factors. Mealtime characteristics, describing how often children ate while sitting at a table or in front of the television, their frequency of takeaway food consumption, maternal covert control and food security, and children’s quality of diet were examined, according to mothers’ cluster membership.SubjectsMother–child pairs (n 324) in the Southampton Initiative for Health. Children were aged 2–5 years.SettingHampshire, UK.ResultsTwo main clusters were identified. Mothers in cluster 1 had significantly higher scores for all psychological factors than mothers in cluster 2 (all P<0·001). Clusters were termed ‘more resilient’ and ‘less resilient’, respectively. Children of mothers in the less resilient cluster ate meals sitting at a table less often (P=0·03) and watched more television (P=0·01). These children had significantly poorer-quality diets (β=−0·61, 95 % CI −0·82, −0·40, P≤0·001). This association was attenuated, but remained significant after controlling for confounding factors that included maternal education and home/mealtime characteristics (P=0·006).ConclusionsThe study suggests that mothers should be offered psychological support as part of interventions to improve children’s quality of diet.


2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (11) ◽  
pp. 2425-2435 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther Molina-Montes ◽  
Irina Uzhova ◽  
Elena Molina-Portillo ◽  
José-María Huerta ◽  
Genevieve Buckland ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveDietary guidelines are intended to prevent chronic diseases and obesity. The aim of the present study was to develop a diet quality index based on the Spanish Food Pyramid (SFP) and to further explore its association with obesity in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)-Granada study.DesignCross–sectional study. The SFP score considered recommendations given for twelve food groups, and for physical activity and alcohol consumption. Obesity was defined as BMI over 30 kg/m2 and abdominal obesity as waist circumference larger than 102 cm (men) and 88 cm (women). Logistic regression was conducted to estimate odds ratios of obesity by quintiles and by 10-point increment in adherence to the score, controlling for potential confounders.SettingEPIC-Granada study.SubjectsParticipants (n 6717) aged 35–69 years (77 % women).ResultsA 10-point increase in adherence to the SFP score was associated with a 14 % (OR=0·86; 95 % CI 0·79, 0·94) lower odds of obesity in men (P interaction by sex=0·02). The odds of abdominal obesity decreased globally by 12 % (OR=0·88; 95 % CI 0·84, 0·93) per 10-point increase in adherence to this score. The effect of higher adherence to the score on abdominal obesity was stronger in physically inactive men and women (ORper 10-point increase=0·79; 95 % CI 0·68, 0·92 and ORper 10-point increase=0·89; 95 % CI 0·84, 0·95, respectively).ConclusionsThese findings support that the Spanish dietary guidelines might be an effective tool for obesity prevention. However, prospective studies investigating this association are warranted.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atiyeh Nayebi ◽  
Davood Soleimani ◽  
Shayan Mostafaei ◽  
Negin Elahi ◽  
Homayoun Elahi ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015) is a multidimensional criterion of diet quality utilized to evaluate how well people’s dietary behaviors align with major recommendations of the 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. We aim to investigate the association between the diet quality and Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) activity.Design: Cross-sectional studySetting: This study was done on 184 patients with RA in rheumatology clinic in Kermanshah city, Iran, in 2020. RA was diagnosed according to the criteria of the 2010 American College of Rheumatology/ European League against Rheumatism. The overall quality diet was extracted from a validated 168-item food frequency questioner (FFQ) to calculate the HEI-2015 score. RA disease activity was assessed using Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28) scores. One-way ANOVA and ANCOVA were done to find the associations.Participants: RA patientsResults: Individuals in the highest HEI-2015 quartile had a lower mean Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) than those in the lowest quartiles of the HEI scores (P-value: 0.014). A linear trend towards decreasing waist circumference in patients was observed with increasing quartiles of the HEI-2015 scores (P-value= 0.005). After controlling for all potential confounders, patients in the highest HEI-2015 quartile had the lowest DAS28 scores than those in the lowest quartile of the HEI-2015 scores (Q1= 3.65; 95% CI= 3.29 – 4.02 vs. Q4= 2.35; 95% CI= 1.94 - 2.67; P-value<0.001).Conclusion: Our results indicated that following a high diet quality might be one of the therapeutic strategies to control or reduce the disease activity in RA patients.


2020 ◽  
pp. 026010602096784
Author(s):  
Rola A Jalloun ◽  
Tiwaporn Maneerattanasuporn

Background: Diet quality is a term used to assess both the quality and variety of food intake by comparing dietary guidelines. The quality of dietary intake can be used to determine the association between food intake and health status. Studies comparing diet quality among students from different departments are limited. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the dietary quality of female college students with majors in different departments at Taibah University, Madinah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study conducted with 658 female participants. The Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I) was used to describe dietary quality. Results: The total DQI-I score of the College of Applied Medical Sciences (CAMS) students (55.5%) was higher than those of the College of Sciences (CS) (52.3%) and College of Arts and Humanities (CAH) (50.4%) students. The risk of having a poor diet was higher among the CS (odds ratio (OR) = 1.154, 95% confidence interval (CI) (95% CI) = 1.007–1.879) and CAH students (OR = 1.624, CI = 1.012–2.604) than among the CAMS students. Having a low DQI-I score was associated with a high risk of obesity (OR= 2.478, 95% CI = 1.007–3.879) and a high body fat % (OR = 3.920, 95% CI = 1.757–8.749). Conclusion: This study showed the need to raise awareness among the younger population about the importance of healthy eating, which involves implementing healthy habits to improve one’s quality of life.


Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zehra Buyuktuncer ◽  
Aylin Ayaz ◽  
Damla Dedebayraktar ◽  
Elif Inan-Eroglu ◽  
Basma Ellahi ◽  
...  

The use of the nutrition facts label has been associated with healthy eating behaviors for adults. However, the relationship between nutrition facts label use and overall diet quality is not well known in young adults, a vulnerable group that acquire lifelong eating behaviors during this period of life. This study aimed to assess if the use of information on the nutrition facts label is associated with a higher diet quality in young adults. In this cross-sectional study, 958 university students aged 18–34 years were recruited. Nutrition facts label use was recorded. Dietary intake was assessed using 24-h dietary recall. Healthy Eating Index-2005 (HEI-2005) scores were calculated. HEI-2005 score was significantly associated with using nutrition facts label (p < 0.001). The mean total HEI-2005 score was 60.7 ± 10.11, 62.4 ± 11.43 and 67.1 ± 12.23 respectively for never, sometimes and everytime users of nutrition facts label (p < 0.001). Sub-group scores of HEI-2005 for total fruits, whole fruits, total vegetables, whole grains, milk, oils, saturated fat, and calories from solid fat, alcohol and added sugar (SoFAAS) were significantly higher in regular nutrition facts label users (p < 0.05, for each). This study showed that young adults who regularly use the nutrition facts label have a higher diet quality.


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