Dietary Intake and Demographic Characteristics of Rural Adults at Risk of Developing Type 2 Diabetes: Baseline Results of the STAR Family Health Team

Abstract

Objective: To examine the association between adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet and the cardiometabolic profile of patients with T1D. Methods: These preliminary analyses included 67 patients for whom waist circumference, A1C, blood pressure and lipid profile values were measured. Insulin sensitivity was estimated (estimated glucose disposal rate; eGDR). The MedDiet score was based on 3day food records and included 11 components (whole grain products, vegetables, fruits, legumes/nuts, olive oil, dairy products, fish, poultry, eggs, sweets and red/processed meats; possible score ranges from 0 to 44). Results: Patients (50% men) were 43.4AE13.3 years old with a mean waist circumference of 87.2AE10.9 cm, a mean A1C of 7.9AE1.1% and a mean MedDiet score of 20.9AE4.7. Adherence to the MedDiet did not differ between men and women. The MedDiet score was negatively correlated with waist circumference (r¼e0.30, p¼0.01) and systolic blood pressure (r¼e0.29, p¼0.02), and tended toward a significant association with eGDR (r¼0.22, p¼0.08). Patients with a lower MedDiet score (lowest tertile; score 18) had a higher waist circumference (91.1AE12.3 vs. 84.9AE9.6 cm, p¼0.03) and higher systolic and diastolic blood pressures (119AE14 vs. 110AE11, p¼0.003; 72AE7 vs. 68AE8, p¼0.03). No difference was observed for A1C or lipid profile variables. Conclusion: These results suggest potential benefits of a MedDiet for patients with T1D and support the necessity to test this dietary approach for this population.