Association between dietary patterns and metabolic syndrome and its components in quilombola women: A population-based cross-sectional study in Alagoas, Northeast Brazil

BACKGROUND: Investigation of dietary patterns provides an integrative model for examining the role of diet in chronic diseases. In this context, this study evaluated dietary patterns and their association with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components among quilombola women. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted with women aged 19 to 59 years living in quilombola communities in Alagoas, Brazil. Socioeconomic, demographic, anthropometric, clinical, and dietary intake data were collected using a 24-hour dietary recall. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the Joint Interim Statement criteria (abdominal obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL cholesterol, hypertension, and hyperglycemia assessed by HbA1c instead of fasting plasma glucose). Dietary patterns were identified by factor analysis and classified into quartiles. Associations were estimated using prevalence ratios obtained by Poisson regression with robust variance. RESULTS: The sample included 895 women (mean age: 38.9 ± 11.0 years), of whom 48.3% had MetS. Seven dietary patterns were identified, none of which were associated with MetS. Moderate adherence to the "meat and beans" pattern was associated with a lower prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia (PR = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.58-0.99). The "dairy and soups" pattern was associated with a lower prevalence of hyperglycemia (PR = 0.68; 95% CI: 0.49-0.93) and low HDL cholesterol (PR = 0.89; 95% CI: 0.80-0.99). Higher adherence to the "cereals/roots, oils, and infusions" pattern (PR = 1.10; 95% CI: 1.01-1.19) and higher adherence to the "fruits" pattern in the second quartile (Q2) (PR = 1.10; 95% CI: 1.02-1.20) were associated with abdominal obesity. CONCLUSION: No dietary pattern was directly associated with metabolic syndrome; however, relevant associations were observed with specific metabolic components - particularly hypertriglyceridemia, hyperglycemia, low HDL cholesterol, and abdominal obesity -, highlighting the importance of dietary profiles in the metabolic health of quilombola women.