Identifying Major Dietary Patterns among the Same Gender Twins in Tehran

The incidence of multiple births has significantly increased in the world. Few studies have examined dietary patterns among twins. To the best of our knowledge, no study has been carried out in Iran. The aim of this study was to determine major dietary patterns of the same gender adult twins in Tehran.

A total of 138 (69 pair) same gender twins participated in this study. The anthropometric characteristics and blood pressure were determined after completing the questionnaires of general information, International Physical Activity, food frequency and general health. Factor analysis was used to identify major dietary patterns. Association between general health and dietary patterns were estimated using logistic regression analysis.

Two major dietary patterns (mixed & western) were identified. There was a significant relationship between the mixed dietary pattern with the level of physical activity, diastolic blood pressure and chronic disease. People with a higher score of mixed dietary quartiles had a higher diastolic blood pressure and physical activity but less chronic disease than those with low score. Significant differences were observed in the distribution of western dietary pattern with gender, marital status, weight, body mass index, and age groups. By increasing the score of western dietary pattern, the percentage of men increased than woman and single individuals than married ones. Also, age, weight, and body mass index have an inverse relationship with western dietary pattern.

Two major dietary patterns were identified among the same gender adult twins in Tehran. The identified dietary patterns had no association with general health in same gender adult twins, but further studies in this field are recommended.