Determinants of a dietary pattern linked with greater metabolic risk and its tracking during adolescence

Background Although growing evidence suggests that dietary patterns associated with noncommunicable diseases in adulthood may develop early in life, when these are established, as well as their determinants, remains unclear. Methods We examined determinants and tracking of a dietary pattern (DP) associated with metabolic risk and its key food groups among 860 adolescents in the Western Australian Pregnancy (Raine) Cohort study. Food intake was reported using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) at 14 and 17 years. Z‐scores for an ‘energy‐dense, high‐fat, low‐fibre’ DP were estimated by applying reduced rank regression at both ages. Tracking was based on the predictive value (PV) of remaining in the DPZ‐score or food intake quartile at 14 and 17 years. Early‐life exposures included: maternal age; maternal pre‐pregnancy body mass index; parent smoking status during pregnancy; and parent socio‐economic position (SEP) at 14 and 17 years. Associations between the DPZ‐scores, early‐life factors and SEP were analysed using regression analysis. Results Dietary tracking was strongest among boys with high DPZ‐scores, high intakes of processed meat, low‐fibre bread, crisps and savoury snacks (PV > 1) and the lowest intakes of vegetables, fruit and legumes. Lower maternal education (β = 0.09, P = 0.002 at 14 years; β = 0.14, P