TABLE 3.

Factor loading matrix and explained variances for the four major nutrient‐based dietary patterns identified by principal component analysis

Nutrient (per 1000 kcal)	Factor 1 (high micronutrient and fibre)	Factor 2 (high fat)	Factor 3 (high protein)	Factor 4 (high sugar)
Protein	0.206	−0.129	0.715	−0.001
Carbohydrate	0.263	−0.338	−0.508	0.533
Starch	−0.024	−0.406	−0.388	−0.266
Total sugars	0.333	−0.072	−0.227	0.755
Fat	−0.131	0.749	0.044	−0.561
Saturated fat	−0.291	0.834	0.025	−0.067
Polyunsaturated fat	0.201	0.157	−0.089	−0.770
Dietary fibre	0.844	−0.222	−0.065	−0.009
Retinol	−0.084	0.766	0.041	−0.047
β‐Carotene	0.733	0.018	0.070	0.049
Vitamin B6	0.624	−0.312	0.444	0.086
Folate	0.761	−0.103	0.185	0.131
Vitamin B12	0.061	0.059	0.821	0.043
Vitamin C	0.671	−0.091	0.034	0.307
Vitamin D	0.103	0.087	0.694	−0.083
Vitamin E	0.698	0.293	−0.182	−0.240
Calcium	0.322	0.255	0.150	0.520
Iron	0.541	−0.441	0.277	−0.073
Potassium	0.737	−0.229	0.247	0.333
Magnesium	0.704	−0.342	0.177	0.121
Proportion of VAR explained (%)	24.88	14.30	13.03	12.14
Cumulative VAR explained (%)	24.88	39.18	52.21	64.35

Note: Estimates from a principal component analysis carried out on 20 nutrients. Nutrients in bold have factor loadings ≥4.0 and have the same the dietary pattern.

Abbreviation: VAR, variance.