Seven unique food consumption patterns identified among women in the UK Women's Cohort Study

Objective: To identify groups of subjects with similar food consumption patterns so that complex disease - diet relationships can be investigated at the level of the whole diet, rather than just in terms of nutrient intake. Subjects: 33,971 women in the GX Women's Cohort Study. 60,000 women on the World Cancer Research Fund mailing list were initially invited to take part. Subjects were selected to include a high proportion of vegetarians. Design: The cohort completed a 217 item food frequency questionnaire. Cluster analysis was used to identify groups of women with similar food consumption patterns. Clusters were compared on socio-demographic characteristics, indicators of health and diet, and nutrient intakes. Results: Seven clusters were identified including two vegetarian clusters. Groups appeared to be differentiated by differences in food types and in diversity of diet. Socio-demographic, health and diet characteristics and nutrient intakes all differed significantly between groups. Conclusion: Classifying diets in more pragmatic terms than just nutrient intake should provide valuable insight into understanding complex diet-disease relationships. Dietary advice, whilst based on nutrient content of meals, needs to take account of the combinations of different food types that people naturally choose to use together. Sponsorship:World Cancer Research Fund.