An analysis of the meal pattern at the nutrient level in Polish women.
BACKGROUND
Before the 1990's, access to a variety of foods in Eastern Europe was limited, which could have influenced the currently analyzed dietary behaviors pertaining to overweight and obesity development. The aim of this study was to describe the daily profile of meal patterns in Polish women aged 50-70 at the nutrient level.


METHODS
The anthropometrical parameters of four-hundred and fifty Polish women aged 50-70 were assessed. Three 24-hour dietary recalls and validated questionnaires regarding socio-demographic-economic status and meal frequency were applied. Timing in food intake was considered as follow: 6:00-8:59 CET - breakfast, 9:00-11:59 CET - morning snacks, 12:00-14:59 CET - lunch, 15:00-17:59 CET - afternoon snacks, 18:00-21:00 CET - dinner. Statistical analyses were conducted using Tukey's multiple comparison tests and discriminant analysis.


RESULTS
No statistically significant differences were found in socio-demographic-economic and anthropometrical characteristics between women categorized to differentiated meal frequency intakes. However, the subjects from the 5-meal-per-day group were characterized by higher anthropometrical parameters, the statistically lowest percentage of regularity in meal consumption and skipping meals related to shortest breaks between meals. At the nutrient level, potassium, niacin, vitamin E and vitamin D were selected in the discriminant analysis as the nutrients most strongly related to different dietary behaviors.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings did not provide sufficient evidence that diverse nutrient intake could lead to the development of a specific nutritional profile in Polish women.
['Stelmach-Mardas|Marta|M|', 'Mardas|Marcin|M|', 'Warchoł|Wojciech|W|', 'Bogdański|Paweł|P|']
D000368:Aged D015992:Body Mass Index D001835:Body Weight D004032:Diet D016002:Discriminant Analysis D005247:Feeding Behavior D005260:Female D006801:Humans D062407:Meals D011939:Mental Recall D018977:Micronutrients D008875:Middle Aged D009525:Niacin D009752:Nutritional Status D011044:Poland D011188:Potassium D012959:Socioeconomic Factors D014807:Vitamin D D014810:Vitamin E D055105:Waist Circumference
meal patterns obesity food intake