BACKGROUND: Familial history of obesity (FHO) and certain dietary habits are 
risk factors for obesity. The objectives of this cross-sectional study were 1) 
to derive dietary patterns using factor analysis in a population of men and 
women with and without FHO; 2) to compare mean factor scores for each dietary 
pattern between individuals with and without FHO; and 3) to examine the 
association between these patterns and anthropometric, lifestyle and 
sociodemographic variables.
METHODS: A total of 197 women and 129 men with a body mass index <30 kg/m2 were 
recruited. A positive FHO (FHO+) was defined as having at least one obese 
first-degree relative and a negative FHO (FHO-) as no obese first-degree 
relative. Dietary data were collected from a food frequency questionnaire. 
Factor analysis was performed to derive dietary patterns. Mean factor scores 
were compared using general linear model among men and women according to FHO. 
Regression analyses were performed to study the relationship between 
anthropometric, lifestyle and sociodemographic variables, and each dietary 
pattern.
RESULTS: Two dietary patterns were identified in both men and women : the 
Western pattern characterized by a higher consumption of red meats, poultry, 
processed meats, refined grains as well as desserts, and the Prudent pattern 
characterized by greater intakes of vegetables, fruits, non-hydrogenated fat, 
and fish and seafood. Similar Western and Prudent factor scores were observed in 
individual with and without FHO. In men with FHO+, the Western pattern is 
negatively associated with age and positively associated with physical activity, 
smoking, and personal income. In women with FHO-, the Prudent pattern is 
negatively associated with BMI and smoking and these pattern is positively 
associated with age and physical activity.
CONCLUSION: Two dietary patterns have been identified among men and women with 
and without FHO. Although that FHO does not seem to influence the adherence to 
dietary patterns, results of this study suggest that anthropometric, lifestyle 
and sociodemographic variables associated with dietary patterns differ according 
to FHO and gender.