Dietary patterns and linkages to Non-Communicable Diseases in Namibia

The role of diet in promoting health and preventing disease is difficult to explain due to its complex network of foods and nutrients. Nutrition is essential to maintain life, but dietary composition can differ widely among individuals. Traditionally, analysis in nutritional epidemiology typically examined diseases in relation to a single or a few nutrients or foods. However, people do not eat isolated nutrients. Instead, they eat meals consisting of a variety of foods with complex combinations of nutrients.  The main objective of this study it to quantify the kind of diets people consume by establish dietary patterns and how the patterns relate to health outcomes. A number of data reduction methods will be explored to determine the patterns and how they are associated with non-communicable diseases. The Namibia Household and Income Expenditure Survey (2015/2016) will be used to achieve the objectives of this study. The main objective of this study it to quantify the kind of diets people consume by establish dietary patterns and how the patterns relate to health outcomes