Association between the Frequency of the Combined Staple, Main, and Side Dishes Examined Using a Validated Questionnaire and the Intake of Nutrients and Food Groups among Young and Middle-Aged Japanese Adults: Results from the DOSANCO Health Study: A

To clarify the association between the intake frequency of a meal combination of staple, main, and side dishes (SMS meal), determined using a validated questionnaire, and the intake of various nutrients and food groups among Japanese adults. In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed data from 936 persons aged 18-64 y who participated in the Dynamics of Lifestyle and Neighborhood Community on Health Study. The intake frequency of SMS meals was assessed using our validated questionnaire and validated. The intake of nutrients and food groups was examined using validated food-frequency questionnaires. To examine the association of the intake frequency of SMS meals with the intake of specific nutrients and food groups, linear regression analysis was conducted with adjustment for age, body mass index, education history, living status (alone or not), smoking status, and alcohol drinking. The intake frequency of SMS meals was significantly positively associated with the intake of 24/32 nutrients in men, 8/32 nutrients in women, 6/16 food groups in men, and 1/16 food groups in women, and significantly negatively associated with 2/16 food groups in men. A higher intake frequency of SMS meals was not significantly associated with a higher intake of salt or saturated fats. Our results suggest that a higher intake frequency of SMS meals, examined using a validated questionnaire, may be associated with a higher intake of certain nutrients and food groups among young and middle-aged adults without a higher intake of salt and saturated fats.