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Family resemblance in energy, fat, and cholesterol intake: a study among three generations of women
A Stafleu1, W A Van Staveren, C de Graaf
1Department of Human Nutrition, Wageningen Agricultural University, The Netherlands.
Background:
Transfer of nutrition habits within the family may contribute to the establishment of a high-fat diet. Several studies show a significant correlation in nutrient intake between parents and children living in the same household. This study describes family resemblances in nutrient intake among adult women living apart.
Methods:
Family resemblance in fat intake was assessed in three generations of adult women by means of a short food-frequency questionnaire. Data were collected on 291 maternally related family members (97 young adult women, their mothers, and their grandmothers).
Results:
Weak correlations (0.13-0.27) were found between nutrient intake of the younger and middle generation. Correlations between the middle and older generation (-0.03-0.29) and between the younger and older generation (-0.03-0.33) tended to be lower.
Conclusions:
This study shows that family resemblance in nutrient intake is weak for adult women living apart. There seems to be more impact of middle-aged mother's eating habits on the fat intake of their adult daughters than of elderly women's eating habits on their middle-aged daughters.