Adherence to a Mediterranean diet and glycaemic control in Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
OBJECTIVE
Mediterranean-type diets reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes. Whether a Mediterranean-type diet improves glycaemic control in diabetes remains unknown.


METHODS
We conducted a cross-sectional analysis in 901 outpatients with Type 2 diabetes attending diabetes clinics located in Campania County, South Italy. We explored the relation between glycated haemoglobin (HbA(1c)), measured centrally, self-measured pre- and postprandial glucose levels and consumption of a Mediterranean-type diet. Adherence to a Mediterranean-type diet was assessed by a 9-point scale that incorporated the salient characteristics of this diet (range of scores, 0-9, with higher scores indicating greater adherence). The study was conducted from 2001 to 2007.


RESULTS
Diabetic patients with the highest scores (6-9) had lower body mass index and waist circumferences, a lower prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and lower HbA(1c) and post-meal glucose levels than diabetic patients with the lowest scores (0-3). In multivariate analysis, mean HbA(1c) and 2-h post-meal glucose concentrations were significantly lower in diabetic patients with high adherence to a Mediterranean-type diet than those with low adherence [difference: HbA(1c) 0.9%, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.5-1.2%, P < 0.001; 2-h glucose 2.2 mmol/l, 95% CI 0.8-2.9 mmol/l, P < 0.001].


CONCLUSIONS
In Type 2 diabetes, greater adherence to a Mediterranean-type diet is associated with lower HbA(1c) and postprandial glucose levels.
Esposito
K
K
Department of Geriatrics and Metabolic Diseases, Second University of Naples, 80138 Naples, Italy.
Maiorino
M I
MI
Di Palo
C
C
Giugliano
D
D
D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin