Association of dietary pattern and physical activity with lipid-related indices among Chinese population: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To explore the relationship between dietary patterns, physical activity and lipid-related indices in Chinese Population. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: This study included 21,472 (72.3% men) participants aged 16 to 78 years. Data of anthropometric measurements, biochemical tests and questionnaires were collected through a physical examination. Diet patterns were identified through factor analysis and five patterns were retained (“meat,” “high-energy,” “high-protein,” “healthy” and “traditional Chinese”). Physical activity was classified into low, moderate, or high. Abnormalities in lipid indices were assessed using the Adult Treatment Panel III criterion. RESULTS: Higher factor scores of “high-protein” pattern and “healthy” pattern were found to be related to favorable lipid indices. Quartiles 3 and 4 of “meat” pattern showed increased risks of having elevates total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations. Participants with higher levels of physical activity showed lowest risk of abnormal lipid profiles. All the associations were equally established among men, while most were no longer significant among women. CONCLUSIONS: Higher physical activity level and a dietary pattern consists of high-quality protein foods, vegetables and fruits were associated with favorable lipid profiles, and these lifestyle factors were related to the risk of dyslipidemia in a sex-specific way.