Intake of wholegrain products is associated with dietary, lifestyle, anthropometric and socio-economic factors in Denmark.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the association between wholegrain products intake and other dietary, lifestyle, anthropometric and socio-economic factors.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study, with data on diet, lifestyle and socio-economic factors obtained from questionnaires. Anthropometric measurements were collected by trained professionals. Multiple linear and principal components regression analyses were used in statistical analyses.


METHODS
Part of the Diet, Cancer and Health study, a prospective cohort study to evaluate the aetiological role of diet on cancer risk, conducted in the greater Copenhagen and Aarhus area, Denmark.


METHODS
Men and women (n 54,720) aged 50-64 years.


RESULTS
In multiple linear regression analyses focusing on individual dietary factors, intake of wholegrain products was associated with intake of all dietary factors studied (fish, red meat, poultry, processed meat, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, cakes and refined-grain products). The strongest positive associations were seen for intake of vegetables and processed meat, whereas the strongest negative associations were seen for intake of red meat and refined-grain products. Regression analyses on dietary patterns identified by principal components analysis yielded similar results. Also, wholegrain products intake was positively associated with cycling, taking dietary supplements and high school education, and negatively associated with intake of alcohol, BMI and smoking.


CONCLUSIONS
Intake of wholegrain products is associated with other dietary factors, healthier lifestyle habits and higher socio-economic status. Therefore future studies need to account for the possible confounding by other dietary and lifestyle-related parameters when investigating relationships between wholegrain products intake and disease risk.
Egeberg
Rikke
R
Institute of Cancer Epidemiology, The Danish Cancer Society, Strandboulevarden 49, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark. egeberg@cancer.dk
Frederiksen
Kirsten
K
Olsen
Anja
A
Johnsen
Nina F
NF
Loft
Steffen
S
Overvad
Kim
K
Tjønneland
Anne
A
D000886:Anthropometry; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003718:Denmark; D004032:Diet; D004034:Diet Surveys; D002523:Edible Grain; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D012923:Social Class; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires