title: Nut consumption and incidence of metabolic syndrome after 6-year follow-up: the SUN (Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra, University of Navarra Follow-up) cohort.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the long-term relationship between tree nut consumption and the risk of developing metabolic syndrome (MetS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Nut consumption was collected using a validated 136-item FFQ. The MetS was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation and American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute harmonizing definition. The association between nut consumption and MetS was assessed with logistic regression models adjusting for potential confounders. We compared the incidence of MetS between extreme categories of nut intake (> or = 2 servings/week v. never/almost never) after 6 years of follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  The SUN Project (Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra, University of Navarra Follow-up) is a prospective cohort study, formed of Spanish university graduates. Information is gathered by mailed questionnaires collected biennially. Nut consumption and MetS information was collected by self-reported data.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants (n 9887) initially free of MetS or diabetes and followed up for a minimum of 6 years were included.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We observed 567 new cases of MetS during follow-up. Participants who consumed nuts > or = 2 servings/week presented a 32% lower risk of developing MetS than those who never/almost never consumed (adjusted OR = 0.68, 95% CI 0.50, 0.92). The inverse association was stronger among participants who were health professionals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nut consumption was significantly associated with lower risk of developing MetS after a 6-year follow-up period in a cohort of Spanish graduates.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Navarra, C/Irrunlarrea 1, 31008 Pamplona, Navarra, Spain.
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fernández-Montero
authors.forename: Maira
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bes-Rastrollo
authors.forename: Juan J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Beunza
authors.forename: Maria Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Barrio-Lopez
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de la Fuente-Arrillaga
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Moreno-Galarraga
authors.forename: Miguel Angel
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Martínez-González
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004032:Diet; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009754:Nuts; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D014495:Universities