Intake of whole grains, refined grains, and cereal fiber measured with 7-d diet records and associations with risk factors for chronic disease.
BACKGROUND
Research studies examining foods are important, because they account for biological interactions that might otherwise be lost in the analysis of individual nutrients. Single-nutrient studies are also needed to explore the mechanisms by which foods may be protective.


OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to examine associations between whole grains, refined grains, and cereal fiber and chronic disease risk factors.


METHODS
In a cross-sectional analysis of participants in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, associations between dietary intakes and risk factors were examined with multivariate linear regression analysis. Dietary intakes were assessed with 7-d dietary records and quantified in g/d.


RESULTS
Compared with subjects in the lowest quintile (Q1) of whole-grain intake, subjects in the highest quintile (Q5) had lower body mass index (BMI; in kg/m(2); Q1: 25.5; Q5: 24.8; P for trend <0.0001) and weight (Q1: 75.0 kg; Q5: 72.4 kg; P for trend = 0.004) and smaller waist circumference (Q1: 87.4 cm; Q5: 85.0 cm; P for trend = 0.002). Whole grains were also inversely associated with total cholesterol (P for trend = 0.02), LDL cholesterol (P for trend = 0.04), and 2-h glucose (P for trend = 0.0006). Associations between cereal fiber and anthropometrics and plasma lipids were similar. In subgroup analyses, refined grains were positively associated with fasting insulin among women (P for trend = 0.002).


CONCLUSIONS
Similar associations of whole grains and cereal fiber with weight, BMI, waist circumference, plasma cholesterol, and 2-h glucose were observed, suggesting that cereal fiber and its constituents may in part mediate these relations. Refined grains were associated with fasting insulin among women but not men. Additional research should explore potential interaction effects with BMI, sex, age, and genes.
Department of Pediatrics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA. pk.newby@bmc.org
P K
PK
Newby
Janice
J
Maras
Peter
P
Bakun
Denis
D
Muller
Luigi
L
Ferrucci
Katherine L
KL
Tucker
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology; D002523:Edible Grain; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D001786:Blood Glucose; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D007328:Insulin; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol