Abstract
Background
Studies of potato consumption have shown that age, region, socioeconomic status, and household structure are important determinants.
Objective
This study aims to map which factors influence potato consumption among women in the Norwegian Women and Cancer (NOWAC) study.
Design
A cross-sectional study using a postal questionnaire among 74,208 NOWAC participants aged 41–70.
Results
Results showed that 56% of the women ate at least two potatoes a day. A north–south gradient in potato consumption was observed in logistic regression models (OR: 3.41, 95% CI: 3.19–3.64 for the north compared to the capital). Women in households with children had lower odds of high potato consumption than women living only with a partner, and women who lived alone had the lowest odds of all (OR: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.37–0.41). Smokers had higher odds of high potato consumption, while diabetics had lower odds. The odds of high potato consumption were greater among older women, and among those with lower income and education. In a sub-cohort, women who were dieting had lower odds of high potato consumption. Consumption of different foods varied in the low versus the high potato consumption group, with largest effect for fish and pasta/rice. The groups had similar nutrient densities.
Conclusions
In addition to lifestyle and socioeconomic factors, health-related factors like smoking and diabetes were found to influence potato consumption. The high potato consumption group had an especially high consumption of fish and a low consumption of pasta/rice, though the nutrient density in the groups was similar.
Authors' contributions
LAA participated in the design of the study and performed the statistical analysis and wrote the manuscript. TB supervised on the statistical analysis, performed some supporting analyses, and commented on the manuscript. AO participated in the design of the study and supervised on the manuscript. EL, Principal Investigator of NOWAC, commented on the manuscript and analysis. GS supervised on the design of the study, the statistical analysis, and the manuscript. All authors have read and commented on the final version.
Acknowledgements
The authors thank Marita Melhus for assistance with data preparation. The Regional Ethical Committee has approved the NOWAC study.
Conflict of interest and funding
The authors have not received any funding or benefits from industry or elsewhere to conduct this study.
Notes
The work was performed at University of Tromsø – The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.