Association Between Adherence to an Unhealthy Dietary Pattern and Biochemical Marker Values in the Urban Adult...

Chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are a growing health problem, especially in urban settings where dietary patterns have undergone significant changes. Several studies have shown that the type and quality of diet is associated with alterations in metabolic biomarkers that predict cardiometabolic risk. The present study aimed to identify dietary patterns in adults and examine their relationship with metabolic biomarkers associated with chronic NCD risk.

A descriptive-correlational, population-based, cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 267 adults (58% women, 42% men; mean age 45.2 ± 12.6 years). Among them, 147 participants had their blood biomarkers measured, including insulinemia, blood glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-C (high-density lipoprotein), LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein), and triglycerides, as well as calculated indices such as the Castelli Index (total cholesterol/HDL-C) and the Atherogenic Index (LDL-C/HDL-C). The covariates for this study included age, sex, nutritional status (BMI), presence of diabetes, and hypertension. Dietary patterns were identified using Principal Component Factor Analysis (PCFA), and associations were explored using multiple logistic regression models adjusted for confounding factors (covariates).

Two predominant dietary patterns were identified: the "Snacking Pattern"-characterized by a high intake of refined grain products, processed meats and savory snacks-, and the "Prudent Pattern"-based on fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Greater adherence to the "Snacking Pattern" was associated with elevated total cholesterol levels (OR = 3.05; 95% CI: 1.36-6.82) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (OR = 2.89; 95% CI: 1.23-6.75). Excess body weight (BMI > 25 kg/m²) was associated with an increased risk of elevated total cholesterol (OR = 2.59; 95% CI: 1.10-6.07), triglycerides (TAG) (OR = 2.13; 95% CI: 1.08-6.73), insulin (OR = 4.10; 95% CI: 3.42-22.37), Castelli Index (OR = 3.45; 95% CI: 1.14-10.41), and Atherogenic Index (OR = 6.06; 95% CI: 1.16-31.62). Age was positively associated with increases in total cholesterol (OR = 1.05; 95% CI: 1.01-1.08), LDL-C (OR = 1.04; 95% CI: 1.01-1.08), triglycerides (OR = 1.03; 95% CI: 1.00-1.06), and fasting glucose (OR = 1.05; 95% CI: 1.01-1.09). Moderate physical activity was associated with an 81% reduction in the risk of low HDL-C (OR = 0.19; 95% CI: 0.05-0.60), whereas high physical activity was associated with a 91% reduction in the risk of hyperinsulinemia (OR = 0.09; 95% CI: 0.016-0.53). Female sex was associated with a lower risk of elevated triglycerides (OR = 0.40; 95% CI: 0.16-0.99) and hyperglycemia (OR = 0.25; 95% CI: 0.10-0.64).

These findings underscore the importance of incorporating dietary patterns (DP) into food policy design, since diet is not simply the result of individual behavior but rather a complex, multidimensional factor that significantly shapes a population's metabolic profile.