Dietary patterns and their associations with overweight/obesity among preschool children in Dongcheng District of Beijing: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Few studies investigated the associations between dietary patterns and overweight/obesity among Chinese preschool children. Thus, study aims to explore their with children in Dongcheng District of Beijing. Methods With a stratified proportionate cluster sampling, included 3373 pairs guardians. Children’s weight height were measured by school nurses, food beverage consumption frequencies reported guardians via frequency questionnaire. age, gender, physical activity time, sedentary as well parents’ highest level educational attainment, occupation, weight, also collected. Dietary identified through exploratory factor analysis. Among these patterns, one largest score was defined predominant pattern for each child. The tested two-level random-intercept logistic models cluster-robust standard errors. Results Four i.e., “Sugar-sweetened (SSB) snack” pattern, “Chinese traditional” “Health conscious” “Snack” identified. children, 21.02% (95% CI : 19.68 22.43%) predominated “SSB 27.78% 26.29 29.32%) 24.90% 23.47 26.39%) 26.30% 24.84 27.81%) pattern. After controlling potential confounders, characterized fresh fruit/vegetable juice, flavored milk drinks, carbonated tea plant-protein puffed foods, fried Western fast foods associated higher risk ( OR 1.61, 95% :1.09 2.38), compared Conclusions preference high energy density but low nutritional value prevalent Comprehensive measures simultaneously reduce SSBs unhealthy snacks should be taken urgently address childhood obesity problem China, particularly metropolises.