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Using factor analysis to identify dietary patterns in Iranian adults: Isfahan healthy heart program

  • Original Article
  • Published:
International Journal of Public Health

Abstract

Objective

To identify dietary patterns of a representative sample of Iranian adults using factor analysis.

Methods

This study was conducted in 2000–2001 as the baseline survey of Isfahan Healthy Heart Program (IHHP). We studied 12,514 participants aged ≥19 years who were randomly selected in three counties of Central Iran. A validated 48-item food frequency questionnaire was completed and factor analysis was used to identify dietary patterns.

Results

Four major dietary patterns were identified, namely “Western”, “animal fat”, “traditional” and “Mediterranean”. In both men and women, we found a significant positive relationship between age and Mediterranean diet, and a negative relationship between age and the other three dietary patterns (P < 0.001). The Western and traditional dietary patterns showed a significant negative relationship with education in both genders (P < 0.01). The Western dietary pattern correlated positively with being single, widowed, or a divorced man (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

We identified four major dietary patterns. As dietary pattern analysis is useful to identify dietary behaviors in relation to health risks, the results can be practical.

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Acknowledgments

This program was conducted by Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center (ICRC) (a WHO Collaborating Center) in collaboration with Isfahan Provincial Health Office, both affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (IUMS). The program was supported by grant No. 31309304 of the Iranian Budget and Planning Organization, as well as the Deputy for Health of the Iranian Ministry of Health, Treatment and Medical Education, and the Iranian Heart Foundation (IHF). We are thankful to collaborating teams in ICRC, Isfahan Provincial Health Office, Najaf-Abad Health Office and Arak University of Medical Sciences.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nutrition Department, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, P.O Box: 81465-1148, Isfahan, Iran

    Noushin Mohammadifard, Nizal Sarrafzadegan, Fatemeh Nouri, Firoozeh Sajjadi, Hasan Alikhasi, Maryam Maghroun & Roya Kelishadi

  2. Isfahan Health Center (No2), Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Ebnesina St., Isfahan, Iran

    Farhad Iraji

  3. Arak Health Center, Markazi University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran

    MohammadReza Rahmati

Authors
  1. Noushin Mohammadifard
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  2. Nizal Sarrafzadegan
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  3. Fatemeh Nouri
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  4. Firoozeh Sajjadi
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  5. Hasan Alikhasi
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  6. Maryam Maghroun
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  7. Roya Kelishadi
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  8. Farhad Iraji
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  9. MohammadReza Rahmati
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Noushin Mohammadifard.

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Mohammadifard, N., Sarrafzadegan, N., Nouri, F. et al. Using factor analysis to identify dietary patterns in Iranian adults: Isfahan healthy heart program. Int J Public Health 57, 235–241 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-011-0260-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-011-0260-x

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