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Clinical nutrition, enteral and parenteral nutrition

Baseline dietary patterns are a significant consideration in correcting dietary exposure for weight loss

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 67, pages 330–336 (2013)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background/objectives:

Dietary pattern studies are traditionally the domain of epidemiological research. From a clinical perspective, there is a need to explore the effects of changing food and dietary patterns of individuals. The aim was to identify patterns of food choice in the context of a clinical weight loss trial. Cluster analysis based on reported serves of food groups revealed dietary patterns informative for the clinical setting.

Subjects/Methods:

Cluster analysis was conducted using diet history data from two clinical trials at baseline, and outcomes at 3 months were reviewed based on these clusters (n=231). The cluster solution was analysed using defined food groups in serves and with respect to clinical parameters and requirements for selected nutrients.

Results:

Two distinct dietary patterns were identified from the reported baseline dietary intakes. Subjects in Cluster 1 reported food patterns characterised by higher intakes of low-fat dairy and unsaturated oils and margarine and were generally more closely aligned to food choices encouraged in national dietary guidelines. Subjects in Cluster 2 reported a dietary pattern characterised by non-core foods and drinks, higher- and medium-fat dairy foods, fatty meats and alcohol. At 3 months, Cluster 2 subjects reported greater reductions in energy intake (−5317 kJ; P<0.001) and greater weight loss (−5.6 kg; P<0.05) compared with Cluster 1.

Conclusions:

Overweight subjects with reported dietary patterns similar to dietary guidelines at baseline may have more difficulty in reducing energy intake than those with poor dietary patterns. Correcting exposure to non-core foods and drinks was key to successful weight loss.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Health Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia

    S J Grafenauer, L C Tapsell & E J Beck

  2. School of Mathematics and Applied Statistics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia,

    M J Batterham

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  1. S J Grafenauer
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  2. L C Tapsell
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Correspondence to S J Grafenauer.

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Grafenauer, S., Tapsell, L., Beck, E. et al. Baseline dietary patterns are a significant consideration in correcting dietary exposure for weight loss. Eur J Clin Nutr 67, 330–336 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2013.26

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