DIET AS A RISK FACTOR FOR ABNORMAL GLUCOSE-TOLERANCE IN SUBJECTS WITHAND WITHOUT FAMILY HISTORY OF DIABETES-MELLITUS

The relationship between diet and glucose tolerance was examined in 11 8 middle-aged subjects with normal glucose tolerance, impaired glucose tolerance and Type II diabetes mellitus. A significant relationship b etween body mass index and intake of protein and fat from animal sourc e was observed in the whole study population and in subjects without f amily history of diabetes, but not in individuals with family history of the disease. An association between worsening of glucose tolerance and higher caloric intake was shown in males, but this appeared to be linked to the increased intake of animal fat and animal protein of the se subjects. Adjusting for obesity and total intake of energy, no sign ificant difference in intake of nutrients was detected in males, while in females a lower intake of refined carbohydrate, fibre and potassiu m was observed in diabetic subjects after adjustment for body mass ind ex. In males without family history of diabetes, after adjustment for obesity and total energy intake a significant association between abno rmal glucose tolerance and lower intake of plant protein as well as hi gher intake of protein from animal source was detected, while total an d complex carbohydrate intake was lower in subjects with impaired gluc ose tolerance than in the two other diagnostic groups. In females with out heredity of diabetes, a significantly lower intake of energy, carb ohydrates, fibre, plant protein, calcium and potassium was detected in the diabetic group after adjustment for obesity. No significant diffe rence in nutrient intake was observed in subjects with family history of diabetes. Even if evaluation of results is hampered by the limited number of subjects examined, findings of the study support in middle a ged subjects an association between vegetarian diet and normal glucose tolerance, suggesting that this relationship might be enhanced in ind ividuals without family history of diabetes.