BackgroundThe aim of this study was to describe eating patterns in early adolescence and to determine associations between eating patterns and overweight from middle childhood (4th grade, 9 to 10 years old) to early adolescence (7th grade, 12 to 13 years old).MethodsChildren were recruited from primary schools in Telemark County, Norway. Dietary data were obtained by parental report using a food frequency questionnaire. Height and weight were objectively measured, and overweight was defined using international standard cut-off points. Complete data were obtained for 924 4th grade and 691 7th children, and 427 children provided complete data at both time points. Principal component analysis was applied to identify eating patterns. We used multiple logistic regression to calculate adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for being overweight.ResultsThe same four distinct eating patterns were identified at both time points. Correlation coefficients for the factor scores of corresponding eating patterns at baseline and follow up ranged from 0.44 to 0.60. In the follow-up sample, 345 children (80%) were still of normal weight, while 41 (10%) remained overweight. Children with high "dieting" pattern scores and low "varied Norwegian" pattern scores in the 7th grade had an increased risk of being overweight. Children with stable or increased "varied Norwegian" pattern scores had a lower risk of remaining overweight over time than children with decreased scores for this pattern; adjusted OR: 0.4 (95% CI: 0.2, 0.8). This pattern included foods and meals close to current dietary guidelines, including vegetables, fruit and unrefined cereal products. We did not observe an increased risk of overweight in children with high "unhealthy" eating pattern scores, termed "snacking" or "junk/convenient" in either cross-sectional or longitudinal analyses.ConclusionsSlight to moderate stability of eating patterns was observed. Children adhering to a "varied Norwegian" eating pattern were less likely to remain overweight than children with declining adherence to this pattern. Overweight children should be encouraged to eat regular main meals and retain a diverse diet that includes unrefined plant foods, water and fish, rather than fat- and sugar-reduced foods and drinks.

Background/Objectives:Increasing prevalence of overweight in children is a growing health problem. The aim of this study was to describe the eating patterns of 9- to 10-year-old schoolchildren, and to investigate the relationship between overweight and eating patterns.Subjects/Methods:We recruited 1045 children for a cross-sectional study in Telemark County, Norway. The children's food, snacking and meal frequencies were reported by their parents using a retrospective food frequency questionnaire. Height and weight were measured by health professionals, and body mass index categories were calculated using international standard cutoff points (International Obesity Task Force values). Complete data were obtained for 924 children. Four distinct eating patterns were identified using principal component analysis. We used multiple logistic regression and calculated odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for being overweight, and adjusted for parental characteristics and physical activity levels of the children (aORs).Results:Parental characteristics and physical activity were associated with both obesity and eating patterns. Children adhering to a ‘junk/convenient' eating pattern had a significantly lower likelihood of being overweight (aOR: 0.6; 95% CI: 0.4, 0.9), whereas children adhering to a ‘varied Norwegian' or a ‘dieting' eating pattern had a significantly higher likelihood of being overweight (respective values: aOR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.3, 3.2; aOR: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.4, 3.4). No association with overweight was seen for a ‘snacking pattern'.Conclusions:The main finding was that, although family characteristics influenced both the prevalence of overweight and overall dietary behaviour, independent associations were evident between eating patterns and overweight, indicating parental modification of the diets of overweight children.

ObjectiveTo investigate the association between eating patterns and mental health problems in young Norwegian adolescents (12–13 years of age).DesignCross-sectional study. Dietary information was reported by parents using a retrospective FFQ. Eating patterns were identified using principal component analysis. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire was used to measure mental health problems. The association between eating patterns and mental health problems was examined using multiple logistic regression analysis.SettingPrimary schools, Telemark County, Norway.SubjectsChildren (n 1095) aged 12–13 years and their parents.ResultsChildren with high scores on a ‘varied Norwegian’ eating pattern were less likely to have indications of any psychiatric disorders (adjusted OR = 0·5; 95 % CI 0·3, 1·0) and hyperactivity-inattention disorders (adjusted OR = 0·4; 95 % CI 0·2, 0·8) than children with low scores on this pattern. Children with high scores on a ‘junk/convenient’ eating pattern were more likely to have indications of hyperactivity-inattention disorders (adjusted OR = 3·4; 95 % CI 1·3, 8·6) than children with low scores on this pattern. Children with high scores on a ‘snacking’ eating pattern were more likely to have indications of conduct/oppositional disorders (adjusted OR = 3·8; 95 % CI 1·2, 11·5) than those with low scores on this eating pattern.ConclusionsWe identified a significant association between eating patterns and mental health problems in young adolescents, independently of physical activity, sedentary activity and background variables. A diverse diet rich in unrefined plant foods, fish and regular meals was associated with better mental health, while energy-dense, nutrient-poor diets and irregular meals were associated with poorer mental health.

Objective: To examine gender-specific associations of weight perception and appearance satisfaction with slimming attempts and eating patterns among young Norwegian adolescents. Design: Cross-sectional study. Adolescent dietary data were reported by parents using a retrospective FFQ. Eating patterns were identified using principal component analysis. Adolescents' reported weight perception, appearance satisfaction and slimming attempts were analysed using cross-tabulation and Pearson's χ 2 test. Associations between perceived weight, appearance satisfaction and slimming attempts/eating patterns were examined using multiple logistic regression analysis. Setting: Primary schools, Telemark, Norway. Subjects: Children (n 469), mean age 12·7 (SD 0·3) years, and parents. Results: Gender differences were observed in self-perceived weight and appearance satisfaction. Girls were most satisfied with appearance when feeling thin, boys when feeling just the right weight. Perceived overweight was the main predictor of slimming attempts across genders (adjusted OR = 15·3; 95 % CI 6·0, 39·1 for girls; adjusted OR = 18·2; 95 % CI 5·8, 57·3 for boys). Low appearance satisfaction was associated with slimming attempts (adjusted OR = 3·3; 95 % CI 1·0, 10·5) and a dieting eating pattern (adjusted OR = 2·8; 95 % CI 1·5, 5·2) in girls. Perceived underweight was associated with a junk/convenience eating pattern in boys (adjusted OR = 2·8; 95 % CI 1·2, 6·4). Conclusions: Gender differences were observed in subjective body concerns. Perceived overweight was the main predictor of slimming attempts by both genders. Different aspects of body dissatisfaction were related to different food behaviours in boys and girls. Health professionals should be aware of these gender differences when planning health promotion programmes targeting young adolescents.

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