A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study on Food Intake Patterns Identified from Very Short FFQ and Metabolic Factors Including...

Area of Science:

• Nutrition Science
• Hepatology
• Public Health

Background:

• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a growing global health concern.
• Rapid and accurate dietary assessment methods are crucial for personalized nutrition education and NAFLD prevention.
• Understanding the relationship between dietary patterns and metabolic health is essential for public health initiatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the associations between dietary patterns identified by a short food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and metabolic parameters in a Japanese adult population.
• To explore the potential of a short FFQ in assessing dietary patterns related to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease risk factors.
• To evaluate the relationship between dietary habits and indicators of liver function and body fat accumulation.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted on 198 non-alcoholic Japanese adults aged 20-49 in Tokyo.
• Data collection included anthropometric measurements, fasting blood samples, three-day dietary records, and a 21-item short food frequency questionnaire (FFQ).
• Dietary patterns were categorized into Traditional Japanese (TJ) and Westernized patterns, and their associations with metabolic parameters were analyzed.

Main Results:

• The Traditional Japanese (TJ) dietary pattern, characterized by high intake of vegetables, fish, and soy products, showed an inverse association with body mass index, triglycerides, alkaline phosphatase, leucine aminopeptidase, and fatty liver index.
• The Westernized dietary pattern, high in saturated fats and sweets, was not explicitly detailed in its associations but contrasted with the TJ pattern.
• Obesity prevalence was 21% in men and 6% in women; hypertriglyceridemia affected 26% of men.

Conclusions:

• The Traditional Japanese (TJ) dietary pattern, as identified by a short FFQ, is associated with reduced body fat storage and improved metabolic parameters, including those related to liver health.
• This study suggests that a short FFQ can be a useful tool for identifying dietary patterns relevant to metabolic health and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
• Further large-scale research is warranted to confirm these findings and elucidate the complex interplay between dietary patterns and metabolic dysfunction.