Relationship between Overweight and Dietary Patterns in Brazilian Preschoolers

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The prevalence of overweight in children is a growing health problem. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between overweight and dietary patterns in preschoolers. Methods: In total, 232 preschoolers (age 5) residing in the city of Diamantina, Brazil, were evaluated. Dietary intake from a food frequency questionnaire, anthropometric parameters and socioeconomic/behavioral information from a questionnaire were evaluated using a cross-sectional design. Dietary patterns were identified using principal component analysis, and the relationship between overweight and dietary patterns was examined by logistic regression analysis. Results: “Mixed diet”, “snack” and “unhealthy” dietary patterns were identifie d. Children daughters of obese mothers, and those who had higher average weight gain in the first four months of life had a significantly higher chance of being overweight (respective values: OR = 3.81; p = 0.002; and OR = 2.97; p = 0.009). Higher levels of maternal education were associated with higher “mixed diet” scores ( p < 0.001), whereas lower levels of maternal education ( p < 0.001), higher per capita income ( p < 0.001) and higher average weight gain from 0 to 4 months ( p = 0.002) were associated with higher “snack” scores. Higher per capita income was also associated with lower “unhealthy” scores ( p < 0.001). Dietary patterns no associated with overweight. Conclusions: In the present study, overweight was not associated with dietary pattern. However, unhealthy eating habits are known to be risk factors for overweight, and considering that eating habits are formed in childhood, it is very important that healthy eating be encouraged in the family environment and in other spaces like childcare and school.