Effect of dietary patterns on overweight and obesity in Uruguayan children aged 24 to 47 months

Abstract

Introduction. Eating habits acquired in childhood influence future habits. Ultraprocessed products are increasingly occupying a significant place in the food consumption patterns of both adults and children, and are, in turn, related to the development of overweight and obesity. For this reason, among others, food consumption patterns are a public health concern. Objective. Evaluate food consumption patterns and their effects on nutritional status in two observation instances of a cohort of children in Uruguay. Methodology. Analytical cross-sectional study. A total of 969 urban children aged 24 to 47 months were included. Preterm infants and/or those who presented diseases that limit or prevent movement were excluded. Dietary patterns were constructed by cluster analysis using a non-hierarchical algorithm method, and their effects on nutritional status were estimated by multinomial logistic models. Between three and five consumption patterns were constructed, always identifying the existence of a healthier pattern with lower consumption of ultra-processed products and sugar-sweetened beverages. Results. The consumption pattern in the first instance influenced the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and a more than ten percent increase in the body mass index, with a positive interaction between consumption patterns in both instances. Conclusion. Consumption patterns in early life begin to show their impact, even before school age.