Association of major dietary patterns with the risk of obesity among the population from the South-West of Iran: findings from Hoveyzeh cohort study.

Introduction: Obesity is a multi-factorial metabolic disorder, the development and progression caused by genetic, physiological, metabolic, socio-economic, and lifestyle factors (especially physical activity and diet). Therefore, considering the high prevalence of obesity and its complications, and considering that dietary patterns are different in different populations and geographical locations, the present study aims to identify and investigate the relationship between dietary patterns and obesity diseases in the adult population of the Hovizeh city.

Method: 5821 participants (2076 obese group and 3745 not obese group) from Hoveyzeh cohort study for this case-control study were chosen. Data related to dietary, demographic, anthropometric, and physical activity information were obtained through a questionnaire. Dietary patterns were identified using factor analysis. The logistic regression method with adjustment for demographic factors, energy intake, physical activity, and blood pressure and diabetic medication was used to determine the relationship between significant food patterns and obesity.

Results: In this study, four major food patterns were identified: 1) Healthy dietary pattern characterized by a high intake of vegetables and high-protein foods,2) Traditional Defined by high consumption of green vegetables, onions, garlic, fruits, refined grains, white meat, liquid oils, and tomatoes, 3) Sweets and snacks, 4) Good oils. Although there was a significant association between sweets and snacks pattern and obesity risk in the crude model (P < 0.05), this association was no longer significant after adjusting for confounding factors. Good oils pattern showed a significant relationship with obesity in the crud and first adjusted model (P < 0.05), but this association was also not significant after adjusting for blood pressure and diabetes medication use. None of these dietary patterns were significantly associated with obesity or other anthropometric indicators after full adjustments for confounders.

Conclusion: Identifying dietary patterns that influence obesity within a population helps inform strategies for obesity prevention and management. However, in this study, no significant association was found between the identified dietary patterns and obesity.

Clinical trial number: Not applicable.