Abstract
Abstract
Dietary patterns are defined as the quantities, proportions, variety, or combination of different foods, drinks, and nutrients in diets, and the frequency with which they are habitually consumed. Dietary patterns examine the combinations, types, and amounts of foods consumed in the diet. There is now global consensus that food and nutrition policies should be informed by evidence regarding dietary patterns. Dietary patterns are assessed using two main approaches, namely, data-driven approaches based on multivariate statistical techniques (e.g., principal component analysis, cluster analysis, and reduced rank regression) or investigator-defined patterns commonly based on “a priori” dietary guidelines or recommendations (e.g., diet quality scores). Dietary pattern methods can be used to address a range of nutrition science issues including etiological research using observational and experimental designs, behavioral research, monitoring, and surveillance and in dietary guideline development. Dietary patterns are defined as the quantities, proportions, variety, or combination of different foods, drinks, and nutrients in diets, and the frequency with which they are habitually consumed. Many social, demographic, and individual factors can have influence dietary patterns. A variety of food choices may benefit or harm health over time. Inappropriate dietary patterns are associated with risk of negative consequences in terms of diet-related chronic diseases, like cardiovascular disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and/or cancer. Dietary restriction behaviors can result in eating disorders including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Diet patterns are usually fairly well established, but they can change. Understanding of human nutrition can help to create eating patterns that help to achieve and maintain a healthy weight, reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases, and promote good health.