Adherence to Dietary Guidelines in Adults by Diabetes Status: Results From the 2012 Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey

Abstract

The aims of the present study were to compare the adherence to dietary guidelines and evaluate potential differences in nutrient profiles among adults by diabetes status. We used the Mexican Alternate Healthy Eating Index (MxAHEI) to evaluate adherence to dietary guidelines. We calculated the MxAHEI scores (total and by dietary component) with scales from 0 (non-adherence) to 100 (perfect adherence) based on a food frequency questionnaire. Mean daily intakes of macronutrients and micronutrients (g, mg, mcg/1000 kcal per day) were also estimated by diabetes status. Sex-specific, multivariable linear regression models were estimated to test whether MxAHEI scores as well as nutrient intakes were different by diabetes status. Mexican adults had low adherence to the dietary guidelines irrespective of their diabetes status (score < 50 points). Among men, the MxAHEI score was 2.6 points higher among those with diabetes than those without diabetes (46.9; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 44.6, 49.2 vs. 44.3; 95% CI: 44.2, 45.6, respectively). Among women, the total MxAHEI score was similar in individuals with diabetes compared to those without diabetes. Lower intakes of carbohydrates and added sugars and higher intakes of protein, calcium, and zinc were observed in individuals with diabetes. Our findings support the development of strategies focused on promoting dietary patterns that can help to prevent and control the disease.

Self-Reported Dietary Management Behaviors and Dietary Intake among Chinese Adults with Diabetes: A Population-Based Study

“…A systematic review in 2017 found that the majority of participants consumed less than the recommended servings of fruit, vegetables, grains, and dairy based on 11 cross-sectional studies in eight countries [ 38 ]. Moreover, our findings showed a significantly lower dietary quality than the recommended level in both patient groups, which was also true in Mexican adults with diabetes [ 39 ]. Moreover, studies in China also reported that the overall dietary quality remained poor in the population, where most people had an inadequate intake of milk and dairy products, nuts, fruits, other cereals and miscellaneous beans, and seafood compared with the recommended intake levels [ 40 , 41 ].…”

Dietary Intake and Chronic Disease Prevention

“…An original review stressed a relationship between frailty, sarcopenia, and cardiovascular risk, underlining how the frail phenotype is associated with a poor outcome after cardiac surgery [ 38 ]. Healthy eating habits reduce also the risk of developing cancer [ 39 , 40 , 41 ] and other chronic NCDs (such as CKD and chronic respiratory diseases) [ 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 ], as evidenced by several papers of this Special Issue.…”