Dietary patterns in the French adult population: a study from the second French national cross-sectional dietary survey (INCA2) (2006–2007)

Abstract

Identification and characterisation of dietary patterns are needed to define public health policies to promote better food behaviours. The aim of this study was to identify the major dietary patterns in the French adult population and to determine their main demographic, socio-economic, nutritional and environmental characteristics. Dietary patterns were defined from food consumption data collected in the second French national cross-sectional dietary survey (2006–2007). Non-negative-matrix factorisation method, followed by a cluster analysis, was implemented to derive the dietary patterns. Logistic regressions were then used to determine their main demographic and socio-economic characteristics. Finally, nutritional profiles and contaminant exposure levels of dietary patterns were compared using ANOVA. Seven dietary patterns, with specific food consumption behaviours, were identified: ‘Small eater’, ‘Health conscious’, ‘Mediterranean’, ‘Sweet and processed’, ‘Traditional’, ‘Snacker’ and ‘Basic consumer’. For instance, the Health-conscious pattern was characterised by a high consumption of low-fat and light products. Individuals belonging to this pattern were likely to be older and to have a better nutritional profile than the overall population, but were more exposed to many contaminants. Conversely, individuals of Snacker pattern were likely to be younger, consumed more highly processed foods, had a nutrient-poor profile but were exposed to a limited number of food contaminants. The study identified main dietary patterns in the French adult population with distinct food behaviours and specific demographic, socio-economic, nutritional and environmental features. Paradoxically, for better dietary patterns, potential health risks cannot be ruled out. Therefore, this study demonstrated the need to conduct a risk–benefit analysis to define efficient public health policies regarding diet.

Genotoxicity of 11 heavy metals detected as food contaminants in two human cell lines

“…According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), heavy metals are considered as major chemical contaminants of the food chain [EFSA, 2014]. Data from previous studies based on the second French national cross-sectional dietary survey [ANSES, 2016] and the second French total diet study [ANSES, 2016] confirmed this conclusion, with the identification of many heavy metals in the French diet [Dubuisson et al, 2010;Gazan et al 2016;Traore et al, 2016]. The genotoxicity of these toxicants has been evaluated in different studies based on various genotoxic endpoints in different cell models.…”

The EVIDENT diet quality index is associated with cardiovascular risk and arterial stiffness in adults

“…Current research focuses on the study of dietary patterns, rather than analysis of given nutrients [14, 15]. Development of diet quality indices such as the EVIDENT diet index, represents a way to analyze FFQ data from a comprehensive viewpoint, using an approach different from the one most commonly applied to date.…”

Food Combinations in Relation to the Quality of Overall Diet and Individual Meals in Japanese Adults: A Nationwide Study

“…Efforts to overcome the limitations of evaluating single nutrients and foods in isolation have led to a gradual shift in nutrition research to the evaluation of dietary patterns [1,2]. Although the investigation of dietary patterns is generally performed in terms of the daily intake of individual foods or food groups [3][4][5][6], an increasing number of studies have focused on dietary intake at the level of each eating occasion (i.e., breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack) or meal patterns [7][8][9]. Studying dietary patterns at this level rather than overall dietary patterns might be more relevant considering synergies and interactions during digestion and metabolism [10].…”