Our objective was to examine MD adherence in undergraduate college students ages 18-24 and explore its association with cardiometabolic factors. Data (n=3,117, 67% female) were collected between 2012-18 from an on-going, cross-sectional study at a mid-sized university. A MD scoring tool examined intake of 9 dietary components; scores ranged from 0-9. MD scores were further divided into 3 categories (low, med, high MD). Anthropometric, biochemical, and clinical measures were obtained and used to examine cardiometabolic risk factors. Mean differences according to MD categories were evaluated via ANCOVA. Most students were categorized as consuming a low MD (40.4%) or med MD (40.1%); only 19.4% were categorized as having a high MD score. Modest but favorable differences in diastolic blood pressure (72.1±.2, 71.1±.2, 70.3±.4, mm Hg p<0.001), triglycerides (102.2±1.4, 101.6±1.4, 96.3±2.0, mg/dL p<0.05), and fasting glucose (86.5±.3, 85.6±.3, 84.5±.4, mg/dL p<0.001), were observed with increasing levels of MD adherence categories, respectively. No differences in fasting HDL-C, waist circumference, or systolic blood pressure were observed between groups of MD adherence. Our findings suggest the MD may be linked to some favorable health parameters in young adults. Understanding the relationship between different dietary patterns and development of chronic disease in this population will optimize interventions aimed at reducing disease burden.
Authors
First Name
Last Name
Jesse
Stabile Morrell
Leila
Ghaemi
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Submission Details
Conference GRC
Event Graduate Research Conference
Department Agriculture, Nutrition and Food Systems (GRC)