Exploratory Analyses of Frequent High-Fat Food Intake in Diets and Its Association with Increased Odds of Atopic Dermatitis in Singapore and Malaysia Young Chinese Adults

Abstract

High-fat food intake is associated with atopic dermatitis (AD), but the role of habitual dietary habits related to the frequency of high-fat food intake remains unclear. To address this, we developed a frequency-based dietary index, Diet Quality based on Dietary Fat Score, to assess high-fat food intake and examined its association with AD in 13,561 young Chinese adults (mean age = 22.51 years, SD ± 5.90) from Singapore and Malaysia. Using an investigator-administered questionnaire aligned with the validated International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood protocol, we conducted multivariable logistic regression adjusting for demographics, body mass index, genetic predisposition, and lifestyle factors, with false discovery rate correction for multiple comparisons. Frequent high-fat food intake was associated with higher odds of AD presentation (Adjusted Odds Ratios [AOR]: 1.525; 95% Confidence Intervals [CI]: 1.314-1.772; adjusted p < 0.001). The association remained significant regardless of total fat intake (AOR: 1.445; 95% CI: 1.054-1.801; adjusted p < 0.001) and among individuals with high fruit and vegetable intake (Adjusted Odds Ratios [AOR]: 1.489; 95% Confidence Intervals [CI]: 1.191-1.860; adjusted p < 0.001) or low energy intake (AOR: 1.399; 95% CI: 1.054-1.857; adjusted p < 0.05). No synergistic effects were observed between dietary factors. These findings highlight that frequent intake of high-fat foods is independently associated with AD, emphasizing the importance of dietary moderation in AD risk management.