title: A Western dietary pattern is associated with overweight and obesity in a national sample of Lebanese adolescents (13-19 years): a cross-sectional study.
abstract: Adolescent obesity is associated with both immediate and longer-term health implications. This study aims to identify dietary patterns among a nationally representative sample of Lebanese adolescents aged between 13 and 19 years (n 446) and to assess the association of these patterns with overweight and obesity. Through face-to-face interviews, socio-demographic, lifestyle and anthropometric variables were collected. Dietary intake was assessed using a sixty-one-item FFQ. Dietary patterns were derived by factor analysis. The following two dietary patterns were identified: Western and traditional Lebanese. The Western pattern was characterised by high consumption of red meat, eggs and fast-food sandwiches. The traditional Lebanese pattern reflected high intakes of fruits and vegetables, legumes and fish. Female sex and a higher maternal education level were associated with a greater adherence to the traditional Lebanese pattern. As for the Western pattern, the scores were negatively associated with crowding index, physical activity and frequency of breakfast consumption. After adjustment, subjects belonging to the 3rd tertile of the Western pattern scores had significantly higher odds of overweight compared with those belonging to the 1st tertile (OR 2·3; 95% CI 1·12, 4·73). In conclusion, two distinct dietary patterns were identified among adolescents in Lebanon: the traditional Lebanese and the Western, with the latter pattern being associated with an increased risk of overweight. The findings of this study may be used to guide the development of evidence-based preventive nutrition interventions to curb the obesity epidemic in this age group.
authors.affiliation: 1Nutrition and Food Sciences Department, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences,American University of Beirut,PO Box 11-0236 Riad El Solh 11072020 Beirut,Lebanon.
authors.forename: Farah
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Naja
authors.affiliation: 1Nutrition and Food Sciences Department, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences,American University of Beirut,PO Box 11-0236 Riad El Solh 11072020 Beirut,Lebanon.
authors.forename: Nahla
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hwalla
authors.affiliation: 2Department of Nutrition & Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences,Beirut Arab University,PO Box 11-5020 Riad El Solh 11072809 Beirut,Lebanon.
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Itani
authors.affiliation: 1Nutrition and Food Sciences Department, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences,American University of Beirut,PO Box 11-0236 Riad El Solh 11072020 Beirut,Lebanon.
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karam
authors.affiliation: 3Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences,American University of Beirut,PO Box 11-0236 Riad El Solh 11072020 Beirut,Lebanon.
authors.forename: Abla Mehio
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Sibai
authors.affiliation: 1Nutrition and Food Sciences Department, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences,American University of Beirut,PO Box 11-0236 Riad El Solh 11072020 Beirut,Lebanon.
authors.forename: Lara
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nasreddine
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017195:Adolescent Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000208:ethnology; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000208:ethnology; D066273:Diet, Western / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004522:Educational Status; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007861:Lebanon / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adolescents; Dietary patterns; Lebanon; Obesity; Overweight