Consumption of animal fat
and not carbohydrates appears to be linked to the development of diabetes.
That, according to findings
published in the February issue of Diabetes.
Dr. Basil G. Karamanos, of Athens University,
Greece, and colleagues examined the effect of dietary factors on the development
of type 2 diabetes. Included in the study were 204 subjects with recently
diagnosed diabetes (RDM), 42 with undiagnosed diabetes (UDM), and 55 with
impaired fasting glucose (IFG).
The researchers compared each group of subjects
with a matched control group of nondiabetics. Nutritional habits were assessed
for all groups. In the RDM group, nutritional habits before diabetes diagnosis
were evaluated.
Forty-nine percent of patients in the RDM group
had a family history of diabetes, compared with 14.2% of controls (p < 0.001).
RDM patients exercised and more often had sedentary professions. Carbohydrate
contribution to the energy intake was lower in RDM patients (53.5%) than
controls (55.1%; p < 0.05). Conversely, total fat (30.2% versus 27.8%; p <
0.001) and animal fat (12.2% versus 10.8%; p < 0.01) contributed more to energy
intake.
Similarly, those with undiagnosed diabetes more
frequently had a family history of diabetes than controls (38.1% versus 19.0%; p
< 0.01), and more often had sedentary professions. Carbohydrate contribution was
also lower among UDM patients (47.6% versus 52.8%; p < 0.005), while total fat
(34.7% versus 30.4%; p < 0.05) and animal fat (14.2% versus 10.6%; p < 0.05)
contributed more to energy intake.
"IGF differed only in the prevalence of family
history of diabetes (32.7% versus 16.4%; p < 0.05)," Dr. Karamanos and
colleagues report.
Thus, they conclude that "increased animal fat in the diet may contribute to increased incidence of diabetes."
Source: Diabetes In Control Dot Com: Diabetes
Care 2003;26:302-307.
Home - Table of Contents - Donate Now - About Diabetes - Warning Signs - Complications - Screening Test - Diabetes Terms - Site Search - Meet Mr. Diabetes® - Wake Up And Walk® Tour - Latest News - Headlines & News Stories - Health & Fitness - About Us - FAQ - Research Form - - Message Board - Privacy Policy - Legal Notices - How to Contact Us - Comments form - Suggestion Form - Our E-Mail Addresses - Our Address and Phone Numbers - Links - Contact Us