Association of Modified Nordic Diet With Cardiovascular Risk Factors Among Type 2 Diabetes Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study Publisher



Daneshzad E¹ ; Emami S^{2, 3} ; Mofrad MD¹ ; Sarafbank S² ; Surkan PJ⁴ ; Azadbakht L^{1, 2, 5} Show Affiliations
Source: Journal of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Research Published:2018

Abstract

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the most important causes of mortality. Healthy diets can decrease CVDs and other chronic diseases especially in patients with type 2 diabetes. In this study, we investigate association between adherence to the modified Nordic diet and cardiovascular risk factors among patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 339 type 2 diabetic patients. Anthropometric indices, blood pressure, and biochemical tests were evaluated. A validated and reliable semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to assess dietary intake. Nordic diet scores were calculated based on median intakes of six food groups. Results: Body mass index (BMI) was higher among participants who were in the lowest tertile of adherence to the Nordic diet (P = 0.006). There was a significant association between socioeconomic status (SES) and adherence to the Nordic diet (P < 0.0001). Participants who were in the top category of adherence to the diet had significantly lower levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (P < 0.0001). There was a significant inverse association between adherence to the Nordic diet and low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels (odds ratio [OR] = 0.29 95% CI: 0.09,0.91, P = 0.025), high systolic blood pressure (SBP) levels (OR = 0.35 95% CI = 0.17-0.74, P = 0.015), and risk of obesity (OR = 0.25 95% CI: 0.10,0.63, P = 0.03). Conclusion: Results suggest that adherence to the Nordic diet is associated with reductions in the prevalence of obesity, LDL levels and blood pressure among type 2 diabetic patients. However, additional studies are needed to confirm these findings. © 2018 The Author (s).