Dietary Patterns and Obesity Associated Factors in Primary School Children

Background and Objectives: To provide efficient recommendation for the prevention of childhood obesity and eating disorders, it is necessary to understand and explore their dietary patterns (DPs). The main aim of the current study was to explore dietary patterns among primary school aged children and determine the relationship between different dietary patterns and factors including anthropometric measurements, family size, school performance, weekly consumption of breakfast and physical activity. Materials and Methods: Male and female primary school children aged 7-11 (n=761) were recruited in a cross-sectional study from all districts of Tehran(2003-2004). The students and their caregivers (mainly their mothers) were interviewed to complete a 24 h recall. Dietary patterns were explored by exploratory factor analysis of the 23 food groups. Results: Three major DPs were identified: healthy, transitional and western. The tendency of children towards western diet increased with their age (P<0.001). In larger families, the tendency towards healthy DP was lower (P<0.001). Class performance score of the children was positively correlated to healthy DP (P=0.009). Frequency of weekly consumption of breakfast was negatively correlated to western DP (P<0.001). BMI was positively associated with healthy and western DPs. Conclusions: Effective interventions for adapting older children and larger families to healthy eating is urged. For better judgment about correlation of DPs and adiposity more studies are recommended.