title: Food patterns of Australian children ages 9 to 13 y in relation to ω-3 long chain polyunsaturated intake.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to examine food patterns of Australian children ages 9 to 13 y in relation to ω-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (ω-3 LCPUFA) intake.
  
  
  METHODS
  Secondary analysis was conducted on nationally representative food data of 1110 Australian children ages 9 to 13 y (525 boys and 585 girls) that was obtained using two 24-h recalls. Principle component factor analysis was used to identify food patterns. Discriminant function analysis was used to identify the relationship between the food patterns and total ω-3 LCPUFA intake.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four major food patterns emerged for each sex. For boys these were labeled: "snack foods," "soft drinks," "vegetables," and "pork and meat chops, steak, and mince." For girls they were labeled: "vegetables," "take-away," "tea, coffee, iced coffee drinks" and "canned meals and soup." Fish consumption bought from take-away outlets was more frequently consumed in the "soft drink" (r = 0.577) and take-away (r = 0.485) food pattern in boys and girls, respectively. In contrast, fish prepared at home was more often consumed in "vegetables" in both boys (r = 0.018) and girls (r = 0.106), as well as in the "pork and meat chops, steak and mince" food pattern in boys (r = 0.060). There was a trend that in boys, the "vegetables" group discriminated children who consumed ω-3 LCPUFA levels similar to adequate intakes (AI) (P = 0.067), whereas in girls, the take-away food pattern discriminated for being a fish consumer (P = 0.060).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dietary patterns associated with a high consumption of vegetables and "take-aways" food that include meat and fish are likely to positively influence dietary ω-3 LCPUFA intake in Australian children.
authors.affiliation: Metabolic Research Centre, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia; School of Health Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Setyaningrum
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rahmawaty
authors.affiliation: School of Exercise and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Australia.
authors.forename: Philippa
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lyons-Wall
authors.affiliation: Statistical Consulting Service, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Marijka
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Batterham
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Charlton
authors.affiliation: Metabolic Research Centre, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia; School of Health Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. Electronic address: bmeyer@uow.edu.au.
authors.forename: Barbara J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Meyer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D004032:Diet; D004034:Diet Surveys; D002149:Energy Intake; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D013552:Swine; D014675:Vegetables
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3
keywords: Australia; Children; Dietary patterns; ω-3 LCPUFA