Whole-grain and fiber intake and the incidence of type 2 diabetes.
BACKGROUND
Epidemiologic evidence of a preventive effect of whole grain against type 2 diabetes is mainly based on data from women. Information specific to men and women is needed.


OBJECTIVE
The objective was to study the relation between the intake of whole grain and fiber and the subsequent incidence of type 2 diabetes.


METHODS
The design was a cohort study of 2286 men and 2030 women aged 40-69 y and initially free of diabetes. Food consumption data were collected from 1966 through 1972 with the use of a dietary history interview covering the habitual diet during the previous year. During a 10-y follow-up, incident type 2 diabetes cases were identified in 54 men and 102 women from a nationwide register.


RESULTS
Whole-grain consumption was associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. The relative risk (adjusted for age, sex, geographic area, smoking status, body mass index, energy intake, and intakes of vegetables, fruit, and berries) between the highest and lowest quartiles of whole-grain consumption was 0.65 (95% CI: 0.36, 1.18; P for trend = 0.02). Cereal fiber intake was also associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. The relative risk between the extreme quartiles of cereal fiber intake was 0.39 (95% CI: 0.20, 0.77; P = 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
An inverse association between whole-grain intake and the risk of type 2 diabetes was found. The similar result for cereal fiber intake suggests that the whole-grain association is due to cereal fiber or another factor related to cereal fiber intake.
Montonen
Jukka
J
National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland. jukka.montonen@ktl.fi
Knekt
Paul
P
Järvinen
Ritva
R
Aromaa
Arpo
A
Reunanen
Antti
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004034:Diet Surveys; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002523:Edible Grain / Q000737:chemistry; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012306:Risk; D012307:Risk Factors
D001786:Blood Glucose; D004043:Dietary Fiber