Intake of total dietary sugar and fibre is associated with insulin resistance among Danish 8-10- and 14-16-year-old girls but not boys. European Youth Heart Studies I and II.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the dietary intake of total sugar, added sugar, non-added sugar and starch as well as dietary fibre and glycaemic index (GI) and their respective associations with insulin resistance.


METHODS
Mixed linear models were used to study both cross-sectional and prospective associations between carbohydrate components and insulin resistance separately in girls and boys. Diet was assessed by a single 24 h recall interview and insulin resistance was calculated using the homoestasis model assessment (HOMA).


METHODS
The Danish part of the European Youth Heart Studies (EYHS) I and II.


METHODS
Girls and boys at 8-10 and 14-16 years from EYHS I (n 651) and 8-10-year-olds from baseline followed up 6 years later in EYHS II (n 233).


RESULTS
Among girls, a difference in dietary total sugar of 43 g/MJ was associated with a 1 sd difference of HOMA and a difference in dietary fibre of -8 g/MJ was associated with a 1 sd difference of HOMA, independent of age, maturity and other confounders (both P = 0.03). No baseline associations were found among boys and no prospective associations were found in either sex.


CONCLUSIONS
Dietary intake of total sugar may play an adverse role and fibre may play a beneficial role in concurrent insulin resistance among girls but not boys. Sex differences may be due to differences in maturity, physical activity, food patterns and selective reporting behaviours.
Research Unit for Dietary Studies at the Institute of Preventive Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital, Centre for Health and Society, Copenhagen N, Denmark. ibenk@mfi.ku.dk
Iben
I
Kynde
Nina F
NF
Johnsen
Niels
N
Wedderkopp
I B C
IB
Bygbjerg
Jørn W
JW
Helge
Berit L
BL
Heitmann
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003718:Denmark; D015930:Diet Records; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D019422:Dietary Sucrose / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors
D004043:Dietary Fiber; D019422:Dietary Sucrose