Statistical Investigation of Dietary Patterns and Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factors in Urban Enugu

The epidemiological transition in urban South East Nigeria has elevated the burden of non-communicable diseases linked to changing dietary patterns, yet statistical characterisation of diet-NCD risk factor associations in Enugu's urban population remains limited. This study statistically investigates dietary patterns and their association with non-communicable disease risk factors among adults in urban Enugu, Enugu State. A cross-sectional survey enrolled 280 adults aged 18 to 65 years from three urban communities in Enugu North LGA. A validated food frequency questionnaire was used to assess dietary intake. Clinical measurements covered body mass index, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose, and blood pressure. Principal component analysis of 42 food items identified major dietary patterns. Logistic regression examined associations between dietary pattern score tertiles and NCD risk factor prevalence. PCA identified two dominant dietary patterns: a traditional pattern (high in yam, vegetables, and fish) and a Western pattern (high in refined cereals, processed meat, and sugar-sweetened beverages). High Western pattern adherence was associated with elevated odds of overweight/obesity (OR 2.9, p < 0.001), hypertension (OR 2.4, p = 0.003), and elevated fasting glucose (OR 2.1, p = 0.012). Traditional pattern adherence showed protective associations with hypertension. The study provides statistically grounded evidence for dietary NCD risk in urban Enugu and recommends nutrition counselling integration into primary healthcare and workplace wellness programmes. Keywords: dietary patterns, non-communicable disease, principal component analysis, Enugu, logistic regression