Identification of meal patterns based on energy intake distribution across the day and their associations with diet quality and body mass index

A meal pattern with higher energy intake at dinner is associated with higher diet quality and lower BMI among females.

• Three distinct meal patterns were identified in males: 'large lunch and dinner,' 'three meals-balanced,' and 'large dinner,' and in females: 'large dinner,' 'large afternoon snack,' and 'large lunch.'
• The Healthy Eating Index scores were highest for dinner, followed by breakfast, lunch, and snacks across meal patterns.
• Males following the 'large dinner' pattern exhibited lower intakes of rice, bread, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and thiamine, alongside a higher intake of alcoholic beverages.
• Females with a 'large dinner' pattern demonstrated lower intakes of bread, confectionery, total and saturated fats, and carbohydrates, but higher intakes of fish and meat.
• Higher diet quality was associated with meal patterns that emphasized energy intake at dinner in both sexes.

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