MAJOR DIETARY PATTERNS OF TWO ETHNIC GROUPS LIVING IN NORTH-WEST OF IRAN BASED ON AGE, GENDER AND ECONOMIC STATUS

Background and objectives: The aim of this study was to determine major dietary patterns of two major(Azeri) and minor(Kurd) ethnicities living in Urmia, West Azerbaijan, Iran based on age, gender and economic status Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 723 participants (427 women and 296 men) aged 20-64 year old, from two ethnic groups (445 Azeri and 278Kurd) were selected through a multi stage cluster systematic sampling. Economic status (ES) was collected by questionnaire and dietary information was collected by a valid semi-quantitative F.F.Q through interviews. Dietary patterns (DPs) were determined using principal component analysis. Data was analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Chi-square analysis. Results: Three major DPs were extracted including "Traditional High SES (THS)" (high in fruit and vegetables, dairy products, olives, nuts, herbal infusions, traditional Pancake, dolma, thick soup and pickles); "Transitional" (high in fast foods, red and visceral meat, kebab, salty snacks, sauces, sweetened drinks, sweets, poultry, fish, seeds and coffee); and "Traditional Low SES (TLS)" (high in tea, refined grains, potatoes, whole grains, vegetable& hydrogenated oils and animal fat, traditional stew, salt, eggs and legumes). THS and TLS was highly consumed in Azeris and Kurds, respectively. There weren't any significant differences between two groups in consumption of Transitional DP. A greater percentage of Azeri women and those living in middle &high ES households were at the highest tertile of the THS DP. In Kurds, those categorized in the highest tertile of THS had higher per capita income and expenses than those in lower tertiles. Azeris and Kurds who were in the highest tertile of the transitional DP, were younger and kurds had higher income/capita and cost of living / capita. Among Azeri Turks, more men and among Kurds higher percentage of those with lower per capita income and costs were at the highest tertile of TLS DP. Conclusions: Findings suggest that ethnic background, gender and economic status associated with extracted dietary patterns in the studied ethnic groups. Also, age was an important determinant in adhering to a modern or traditional pattern. Therefore, such characteristics should be considered in planning and formulating diet related policies and programs.