The “fruit and whole‐grain” pattern is associated with a low prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia among middle and older‐aged Korean adults: Using Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013–2018 data

Hypertriglyceridemia is a well‐known risk factor of various chronic diseases including diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to determine dietary patterns and explore the relationship between dietary patterns and hypertriglyceridemia in the Korean adult population. We utilized a cross‐sectional and nationally representative survey, the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013–2018 database. From 47,217 subjects who participated in the survey between 2013 and 2018, only subjects over 40 years old were included. Subjects lacking 24‐h recall data and data on hypertriglyceridemia and body mass index, and who had implausible energy intake were excluded. A total of 19,806 participants' data were analyzed. Dietary data were based on 24‐h recall data, and dietary patterns were derived using factor analysis. Triglyceride levels greater than 200 mg/dl were considered hypertriglyceridemia, according to the Korean Society of Lipid and Atherosclerosis. Three dietary patterns— “oil and fats & seasoning”, “soybean paste and vegetable”, and “fruit and whole‐grain”— explained 7.9%, 6.3%, and 5.8% of variation in food intake, respectively. Comparing the lowest and highest dietary pattern score groups after adjusting for potential confounders revealed an inverse relationship between “fruit and whole‐grain” dietary pattern and hypertriglyceridemia in men (odds ratio [OR]: 0.61, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.45–0.82, p for trend <.0001); which was only marginal in women (OR: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.58–1.07, p for trend: .628). A diet containing high proportions of fruit and whole‐grain may have preventive effects on hypertriglyceridemia in middle and older aged Korean adults.