O-73 Adherence to World Health Organization Dietary Guidelines and its Association with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: The Tobago Health Study
Author(s):
A Grant, R Cvejkus, V Wheeler, J Zmuda, D Ramdath, I Miljkovic
Year of Presentation:
2025
Objective: This study aims to investigate the dietary
intake patterns of Tobagonians and evaluate the association
between the WHO dietary guidelines and associated risk of
type 2 diabetes (T2DM).
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using a stratified random sample of Tobagonians 50+ years. Dietary intake patterns were assessed from 856 men and 841 women, using a 146-item semi-quantitative culturally sensitive food frequency questionnaire in the Tobago Health Study (median age=60, median BMI=28.9). and compared to the WHO dietary guidelines. Participants were placed into two groups based on adherence to dietary guidelines of each food/nutrient group. T2DM was defined as fasting serum glucose 126 mg/dL or currently taking anti-diabetic medication. Associations between T2DM and adherence to each food/nutrient group were assessed using multivariable logistic regression models.
Results: T2DM prevalence was marginally higher among Tobagonian women (20.8%) compared to men (19.6%). Overall, there was good adherence (>79%) to the dietary intake guidelines for fruits and vegetables, fibre, meats and beans, and total fats. Adherence to fibre consumption guidelines was associated with 39.3% lower odds of T2DM (OR: 0.607; 95% CI: 0.463-0.797) when compared to those not adhering to the guidelines. Following daily caloric intake guidelines was also associated with reduced odds of T2DM compared to those who had low calorie intake (<2000 kcal). Associations were greater among men than women.
Conclusion: Adherence to WHO dietary guidelines for fibre and caloric intake was associated with reduced odds of diabetes among Tobagonians.