[01] Pooja Longani, Department of Human Nutrition, the University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan. [02] Zia ud Din, Department of Human Nutrition, the University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan. [03] Muhammad Abbas, Department of Human Nutrition, the University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan. [04] Saleem Khan, Department of Human Nutrition, the University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan. [05] Iftikhar Alam, Department of Human Nutrition & Dietetics, Bacha Khan University, Charsadda, Pakistan. [06] Zahoor Ahmad, Department of Human Nutrition, the University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan. [07] Imran Khan, Department of Human Nutrition, the University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan. [08] Muhammad Hussain, Department of Human Nutrition, the University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan. [09] Zafar Iqbal, Department of Agricultural Chemistry, the University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan. [10] Mudassar Iqbal, Department of Agricultural Chemistry, the University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan.

Dietary patterns vary greatly by race, ethnicity and region. Assessment of the dietary patterns of specific population groups improves our understanding of the complex relationship between diet and risk of chronic diseases. This cross-sectional study was conducted to identify major dietary patterns among minority women and to assess socioeconomic, lifestyle and health factors associated with them. Total of 250 women aged > 18 year, in pre-menopausal stage, non-pregnant and non-lactating, were randomly selected. Data on required parameters was collected using standardized questionnaires and tools. Factor analysis was conducted to extract major dietary patterns while analysis of covariance was fitted to investigate association between socioeconomic, lifestyle and health factors and adherence to these dietary patterns. Two major dietary patterns, ‘nutrient-dense’ and ‘energy rich’ were extracted. Factors positively associated with ‘nutrient-dense’ dietary pattern included women's age (β=0.04, 95% CI=0.009-0.07, p<0.05), women's husband or head of household education level > 10 year (β=0.35, 95% CI=0.09-0.59, p<0.001), nuclear family system (β=0.31, 95% CI=0.03-0.59, p<0.05), positive medical history of chronic diseases such as hyperglycemia and hypertension (β=0.61, 95% CI=0.31-0.90, p<0.001) and existence of leisure time physical activity (β=0.37, 95% CI=0.16-0.58, p<0.001) while BMI was negatively associated with it (β=-0.04, 95% CI=-0.07- -0.02, p<0.001). The study findings supported association between socioeconomic, lifestyle and health factors and adherence to a ‘nutrient-dense’ dietary pattern. It is therefore suggested considering all of these important factors when nutrition policies and programs are designed for women in general and those from minority community in specific.

Socioeconomic Health, Determinants, Dietary Patterns, Minority Women, Pakistan

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