Dietary Patterns and Their Association with Cardiometabolic Biomarkers and Outcomes among Hispanic Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013–2018)

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders are disproportionately prevalent among Hispanic and Latino adults in the United States. We extracted a posteriori dietary patterns (DPs) among a nationally representative sample of 2049 Hispanic adults using the 2013–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Three primary DPs and their tertiles were identified, and their associations with cardiometabolic outcomes were examined. Those with higher levels of the Solids Fats, Cheeses, Refined Carbohydrates DP were more likely younger, male, and Mexican American. Those with higher levels of the Vegetables DP were more likely female, higher income, and long-term immigrant residents. Those with higher levels of The Plant-Based DP tended to have higher education levels. Higher levels of the Solid Fats, Cheeses, Refined Carbohydrates DP level were positively associated with body mass index (Tertile 2, β: 1.07 [95%CI: 0.14, 1.99]) and negatively associated with lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels (Tertile 3, β: −4.53 [95%CI: −7.03, −2.03]). Higher levels of adherence to the Vegetables DP were negatively associated with body fat (Tertile 3, β: −1.57 [95%CI: −2.74, −0.39]) but also HDL-C (Tertile 2, β: −2.62 [95%CI: −4.79, −0.47]). The Plant-Based DP showed no associations with cardiometabolic outcomes. Future research and interventions should consider these associations as well as the sociodemographic differences within each DP.