Major Dietary Patterns in Relation to Stunting among Children in Tehran, Iran

Abstract

To the best of our knowledge, no information is available to link major dietary patterns to stunting during childhood, although dietary patterns are associated with chronic diseases. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between major dietary patterns and stunting in the first grade pupils of Tehran in 2009. In this case-control study, 86 stunted children (defined as height-for-age of less than the 5th percentile of CDC2000 cutoff points) were enrolled from among 3,147 first grade pupils of Tehran, selected using a multistage cluster random-sampling method. Participants for the control group (n=308) were selected randomly from non-stunted children (height-for-age more than the 5th percentile of CDC2000 cutoff points), after matching for age, sex, and area of residence. Dietary data were collected using two 24-hour dietary recalls through face-to-face interview with mothers. Factor analysis was used for identifying major dietary patterns. Mean consumption of dairy products (308±167 vs 382±232 g/day, p<0.05), dried fruits and nuts (2.58±9 vs 7.15±26 g/day, p<0.05) were significantly lower among stunted children than those in the control group. Three major dietary patterns were identified: ‘traditional dietary pattern’ that was dominated by bread, potato, fats, eggs, flavours, vegetables other than leafy ones, sugar, drinks, and fast food; ‘mixed dietary pattern’ that was dominated by leafy vegetables, fast foods, nuts, fats, cereals other than bread, fruits, legumes, visceral meats, sugars, eggs, and vegetables other than leafy vegetables; and ‘carbohydrate-protein pattern’ that was dominated by sweets and desserts, poultry, dairy, fruits, legumes, and visceral meats. No significant relationships were found between traditional and mixed dietary patterns and stunting. Individuals in the third quartile of carbohydrate-protein dietary pattern were less likely to be stunted compared to those in the bottom quartile (OR: 0.31, 95% CI 0.13-0.78, p<0.05). Adherence to dietary patterns high in protein (e.g. dairy, legumes, and meat products) and carbohydrates (e.g. fruits, sweets, and desserts) might be associated with reduced odds of being stunted among children.

The Effect of Dietary Intake and Social Economic Factors on the Risk of Stunting in Primary School Children in Surakarta, Central Java

“…Similar study conducted by Esfarjani et al (2013), find that there is a positive effect and statistically significant of nutrient intake (carbohydrate and protein) toward the risk of stunting on children. The result of the study showed that high carbohydrate and protein intake are related to the reduced risk of stunting on children by 0.31 time (Esfarjani et al, 2013).…”

“…The result of the study showed that high carbohydrate and protein intake are related to the reduced risk of stunting on children by 0.31 time (Esfarjani et al, 2013).…”

Dietary Patterns and Obesity Associated Factors in Primary School Children

“…Another study conducted, determined the relationship between major dietary patterns and stunting in the first grade students in Tehran, discovered three major dietary patterns. They were identified as: 'traditional dietary pattern', 'mixed dietary pattern' and 'carbohydrate-protein pattern' (17). In the 'traditional dietary pattern' of the mentioned study, eggs, sugars and vegetables were in common with the transitional DP of the present study.…”

Assessment of Obesity, Unhealthy Food Habits, and Nutritional Knowledge of Primary School Children

“…Also results of Esfarjani et al study on 308 grade 1 primary school children in Tehran showed insufficient consumption of vegetables (123 ± 116 g/d), fruits (343 ± 316 g/d), and dairy products (383 ± 232 g/d). They also reported that intake of drinks and fast foods were 243 ± 178 g/d and 201 ± 113 g/d, respectively (24). According to our findings, 68% of the students had medium, 28% good and about 3% low nutritional knowledge.…”