Adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern is positively associated with plasma adiponectin concentrations in diabetic women.
BACKGROUND
Although the typical diet of the Mediterranean region has received much recognition over the past several years for its association with substantial health benefits, it remains unknown whether its favorable effects are mediated through changes in adiponectin concentrations.


OBJECTIVE
The objective was to determine whether adherence to a Mediterranean-type diet is associated with higher plasma adiponectin concentrations.


METHODS
This study was a prospective and cross-sectional evaluation of plasma adiponectin concentrations and dietary data from 987 diabetic women from the Nurses' Health Study who had no history of cardiovascular disease at the time blood was drawn in 1990.


RESULTS
Women who scored highest on a 9-point scale that measures adherence to a Mediterranean-type dietary pattern tended to be older, were less likely to be current smokers, had lower body mass indexes and waist circumferences, and had higher total energy intakes, physical activities, and plasma adiponectin concentrations than did women with the lowest scores. Median plasma adiponectin concentrations were 23% higher in women who most closely followed a Mediterranean-type diet than in low adherers after adjustment for age and energy intake (P < 0.01). Body composition, lifestyle, and medical history explained some, but not all, of the observed association between diet and adiponectin concentrations because high adherers tended to have greater adiponectin concentrations than did moderate or low adherers, even after adjustment for these variables.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that, of the several components of the Mediterranean dietary pattern score, alcohol, nuts, and whole grains show the strongest association with adiponectin concentrations. Close adherence to a Mediterranean-type diet is associated with higher adiponectin concentrations.
Mantzoros
Christos S
CS
Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, & Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA and Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
Williams
Catherine J
CJ
Manson
Joann E
JE
Meigs
James B
JB
Hu
Frank B
FB
D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood*; D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood*; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016014:Linear Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012907:Smoking; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio
D052242:Adiponectin; D004043:Dietary Fiber