The association between dietary patterns and metabolic risk markers for chronic diseases in elderly populations in China’s alpine regions

This study characterized the dietary patterns of elderly residents in northern China's alpine regions and examined their associations with metabolic risk markers for chronic diseases. A total of 1399 participants aged ≥60 years from Qiqihar City, Heilongjiang Province, China, were enrolled using a multistage cluster sampling method. Factor analysis-derived dietary patterns and binary logistic regression were used to assess the relationship between these patterns and metabolic risk markers for chronic diseases. Five dietary patterns were identified: traditional, high-sodium and high-fat, fruits and vegetables, alcohol and meat, and dairy and egg. Compared to the dairy and egg group, the alcohol and meat group had significantly higher elevated diastolic blood pressure, triglyceride, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and total bilirubin levels (all P < .05). The fruits and vegetables group showed higher alanine aminotransferase levels (P < .05) than the dairy and egg group, while the traditional group had lower serum creatinine levels (P < .05). High-sodium and high-fat dietary pattern and alcohol and meat dietary pattern were significantly associated with a higher odds of hyperlipidemia, while traditional and alcohol and meat diets were linked to hypertension. Sex, age, and obesity are also associated with the occurrence of chronic diseases. In China's alpine regions, increased intake of high-quality protein-rich foods was associated with lower risk of hypertension. Moderate energy, alcohol, and meat intake are recommended. Regular monitoring of body weight, blood pressure, and lipid profiles is critical for managing and mitigating chronic diseases.