Ultra-processed food and incident type 2 diabetes: studying the underlying consumption patterns to unravel the health effects of this heterogeneous food category in the prospective Lifelines cohort

Background The overall consumption of ultra-processed food (UPF) has previously been associated with type 2 diabetes. However, due to the substantial heterogeneity of this food category, in terms of their nutritional composition and product type, it remains unclear whether previous results apply to all underlying consumption patterns of UPF. Methods Of 70,421 participants (35–70 years, 58.6% women) from the Lifelines cohort study, dietary intake was assessed with a food frequency questionnaire. UPF was identified according to the NOVA classification. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to derive UPF consumption patterns. The associations of UPF and adherence to UPF consumption patterns with incidence of type 2 diabetes were studied with logistic regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, diet quality, energy intake, alcohol intake, physical activity, TV watching time, smoking status, and educational level. Results During a median follow-up of 41 months, a 10% increment in UPF consumption was associated with a 25% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes (1128 cases; OR 1.25 [95% CI 1.16, 1.34]). PCA revealed four habitual UPF consumption patterns. A pattern high in cold savory snacks (OR 1.16 [95% CI 1.09, 1.22]) and a pattern high in warm savory snacks (OR 1.15 [95% CI 1.08, 1.21]) were associated with an increased risk of incident type 2 diabetes; a pattern high in traditional Dutch cuisine was not associated with type 2 diabetes incidence (OR 1.05 [95% CI 0.97, 1.14]), while a pattern high in sweet snacks and pastries was inversely associated with type 2 diabetes incidence (OR 0.82 [95% CI 0.76, 0.89]). Conclusions The heterogeneity of UPF as a general food category is reflected by the discrepancy in associations between four distinct UPF consumption patterns and incident type 2 diabetes. For better public health prevention, research is encouraged to further clarify how different UPF consumption patterns are related to type 2 diabetes.

Adherence to the EAT-Lancet diet and risk of incident type 2 diabetes: the Danish Diet, Cancer and Health cohort

Objective: In 2019 the EAT-Lancet Commission proposed a dietary pattern, defined to be globally environmentally sustainable, but untested directly in population studies with regards to health. We investigated adherence to the EAT-Lancet diet and risk of incident type 2 diabetes in a Danish setting. Research design and methods: In total, 54,232 participants aged 50-64 years at inclusion (1993-1997) with no previous cancer or diabetes diagnoses were included. Dietary data were collected using a validated 192-item food frequency questionnaire, and scored 0 (non-adherence) or 1 (adherence) point for each of the 14 dietary components of the EAT-Lancet diet (range 0-14 points). Incident type 2 diabetes cases were identified using the Danish National Diabetes Register. Hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models. Results: During follow-up (median 15 years), 7130 participants developed type 2 diabetes. There was a 22% (95% CI: 14%; 29%) lower risk of type 2 diabetes among those with the greatest adherence to the EAT-Lancet diet (11-14 points) compared to those with the lowest adherence (0-7 points). After further adjusting for potential mediators, the corresponding risk was 17% (95% CI: 8%; 24%) lower. Conclusion: Adherence to the EAT-Lancet diet was associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes in a middle-aged Danish population.

Long-Term Physical Activity Participation and Subsequent Incident Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Population-Based Cohort Study

BackgroundUncertainty remains concerning association between long-term physical activity and incident type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). We intended to evaluate physical activity participation over a 6-year span and assess association with subsequent 10-year incident DM risk, as well as examine mediation role by obesity.MethodsA total of 9757 community-dwelling adults aged ≥ 50 years in England were included in the population-based cohort. Physical activity participation, including trajectories and cumulative participation were assessed using weighted Z score over a 6-year span from wave 1 (2002–2003) to wave 4 (2008–2009). Incident DM recorded over a 10-year span from wave 4 (2008–2009) to wave 9 (2018–2019) was outcome.Results5 distinct activity trajectories were identified, including persistently low (N=3037, incident DM=282), initially low then improving (1868, 90), initially high then declining (325, 20), persistently moderate (2489, 170), and persistently high (2038, 108). Compared with persistently low, participants of initially low then improving, persistently moderate and high were associated with lower incident DM risk, with multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HR) of 0.41 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.32 to 0.53, P<0.001), 0.70 (95% CI: 0.56 to 0.89, P=0.004) and 0.49 (95% CI: 0.37 to 0.65, P <0.001), respectively. Elevated cumulative activity was also associated with lower DM risk, with each quintile increment in cumulative weighted Z score corresponding to HR of 0.76 (95% CI: 0.71 to 0.82, P <0.001). Mediation analysis found that body mass index, waist circumference and change in body mass index mediate 10% (P <0.001), 17% (P <0.001) and 9% (P <0.001) of the observed association between activity and incident DM, respectively.ConclusionsFor middle aged and older adults, both gradually improved and persistently active participation in physical activity were associated with subsequent lower risk of incident DM, with obesity playing a potential mediator. Strategies focusing on improving and maintaining active participation in physical activity might be beneficial from DM prevention perspective.