Dietary fiber intake is associated with HbA1c level among prevalent patients with type 2 diabetes in Pudong New Area of Shanghai, China.
BACKGROUND
Dietary factors play an important role in glycemic control in diabetic patients. However, little is known about their effects among Chinese diabetic patients, whose diets are typically abundant in fiber and high in glycemic index (GI) values.


RESULTS
934 patients with type 2 diabetes and 918 healthy volunteers from Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China, were interviewed during the period of Oct-Dec, 2006 to elicit demographic characteristics and lifestyle factors. Dietary habits were assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements, bio-specimen collection and biochemical assays were conducted at the interview according to a standard protocol. In this population, diabetic patients consumed lower levels of energy and macronutrients but had higher levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycolated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), triglyceride and body mass index than healthy adults. While the average consumption levels of the nutrients among diabetic patients did not vary along duration of the disease, the average levels of FPG and HbA1c increased with increasing duration. Regardless of diabetes duration, HbA1c level was observed lower in patients having a higher fiber or lower GI intake. Compared with those with the lowest tertile intake of fiber, the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for poor glycemic control reduced from 0.75 (95%CI: 0.54-1.06) to 0.51 (95%CI: 0.34-0.75) with increasing tertile intake (P for trend <0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Dietary fiber may play an important role in reducing HbA1c level. Increasing fiber intake may be an effective approach to improve glycemic control among Chinese diabetic patients.
Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
Junyi
J
Jiang
Hua
H
Qiu
Genming
G
Zhao
Yi
Y
Zhou
Zhijie
Z
Zhang
Hong
H
Zhang
Qingwu
Q
Jiang
Qiao
Q
Sun
Hongyan
H
Wu
Liming
L
Yang
Xiaonan
X
Ruan
Wang-Hong
WH
Xu
D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015930:Diet Records; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D004043:Dietary Fiber; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; C517652:hemoglobin A1c protein, human