Original Article
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2008) 62, 119–126; doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602684; published online 14 February 2007
Stability of dietary patterns in young women over a 2-year period
Guarantor: SE Borland.
Contributors: SMR, HMI and SEB were responsible for the study design. SEB co-ordinated this sub-study, whereas HMI co-ordinated the Southampton Women's Survey. SRC performed all statistical analyses. SMR and SEB processed the dietary data and drafted the manuscript. All authors contributed to the interpretation of the data and approved the final version.
S E Borland1, S M Robinson1, S R Crozier1 and H M Inskip1 and the SWS Study Group
1MRC Epidemiology Resource Centre, Southampton General Hospital, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK
Correspondence: SE Borland, MRC Epidemiology Resource Centre, Southampton General Hospital, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO16 6YD, UK. E-mail: seb@mrc.soton.ac.uk
Received 28 September 2006; Revised 13 December 2006; Accepted 9 January 2007; Published online 14 February 2007.
Abstract
Objective:
To examine the stability of dietary patterns in young women over a two-year period and to identify factors that influence stability.
Design:
A food frequency questionnaire was used to assess diet. In a subgroup, this was repeated after 2 years. Questions were asked about major changes to diet over this time. Dietary patterns were identified using principal components analysis and pattern scores were compared at the two time points. The consumption of foods was also examined. The relationship between change in pattern scores and socio-demographic factors and body mass index was assessed.
Setting:
The Southampton Women's Survey, a prospective study of diet, health and lifestyle in young women and their influences on fetal growth
Subjects:
A subgroup of 94 women from a cohort of 6129 nonpregnant women aged 20–34 years.
Results:
Two dietary patterns, labelled 'prudent' and 'high energy', were identified. Spearman correlation coefficients between the initial and repeat scores for the prudent and high-energy patterns were 0.81 and 0.64, respectively. Average changes (repeat – initial) were 0.13 and -0.01 SD of initial score. Change in prudent dietary pattern score was influenced by amount of strenuous exercise taken and by changes in partnership status. An increase in high-energy pattern score was associated with lower social class.
Conclusions:
Dietary patterns in young women are reasonably stable over a 2-year period. This suggests that dietary patterns identified in the recent past may provide useful information about current dietary patterns.
Sponsorship:
The study was funded by the Dunhill Medical Trust, the University of Southampton and the Medical Research Council.
Keywords:
dietary patterns, food, principal components analysis, women
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