A Western Diet Raises the Risk for Type 2 Diabetes

Source: Tufts University
March 27, 2002 (Reviewed: March 7, 2004)

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is on the rise, and a recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine adds to the evidence that eating a diet high in red meat, processed meat, French fries, refined grains, high-fat dairy products, and sweets may increase your risk for this disease.

A serious health problem

Type 2 diabetes is a disorder in which the pancreas continues to produce the hormone insulin, but the body is unable to effectively use it to transport glucose out of the blood and into the body's cells. Previously called "adult-onset diabetes," type 2 diabetes carries several potentially serious complications, including kidney damage, loss of vision, nerve damage, and circulatory problems.

Contributing factors

Many studies have linked type 2 diabetes to factors such as diet, obesity, and physical inactivity. Because these factors are so often linked, researchers for this study wanted to look at the effects of diet independent of other factors, such as weight and physical activity.

How the men were tracked

As part of the ongoing Health Professionals Follow-up Study, the researchers tracked 42,504 male health professionals from 1986-1998. The men were between the ages of 40 and 75 when the study began; they filled out detailed dietary questionnaires three times -- in 1986, 1990, and 1994 -- and were followed for development of type 2 diabetes.

Studying dietary patterns

Rather than focus on specific components of the diet, such as fat or carbohydrates, the researchers studied overall dietary patterns and their relation to diabetes risk. They identified two major patterns: the "Western" diet, which was high in processed meat, red meat, French fries, refined grains, high-fat dairy products, and sweets; and the "prudent" diet, which was high in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fish, and poultry.

Risk higher with Western diet

During the 12 years of study, 1,321 men developed type 2 diabetes. The Western dietary pattern was associated with a 59% greater risk of diabetes, while a prudent diet was associated with a 16% lower risk of diabetes. For men who ate a Western diet, the risk for diabetes was even greater if they were also obese or had a low level of physical activity.

What the evidence shows

While these results do not prove that eating a Western diet causes type 2 diabetes, they certainly add to existing evidence that eating these types of food increases the risk for getting diabetes, and that being overweight and not exercising increases the risk even further.

It's also important to note that because this study was conducted only in men, it is not known whether the results would be the same for women. Still, the best preventive advice remains to eat a balanced, healthful diet, manage your weight, and get regular exercise.

Source

• Dietary patterns and risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus in U.S. men. RM. Van Dam, EB. Rimm, WC. Willett,  et al., Ann Int Med, 2002, vol. 136, pp. 201--208

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