Western Diet Linked to Diabetes in Women

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Fung TT, Schulze M, Manson JE, et al.: Dietary patterns, meat intake, and the risk of type 2 diabetes in women. Arch Int Med 64:2235-2240, 2004.

What is the problem, and what is known about it so far?

Obesity is the biggest risk factor for type 2 diabetes, but research suggests that certain foods and dietary habits also may be to blame. In particular, a "Western diet" -- with large amounts of red and processed meats (like hot dogs or sausages), refined grains, fried foods, and sweets -- has been shown to raise the risk of diabetes among men.

Why did the researchers do this particular study?

The researchers wanted to see if there is a link between dietary habits and type 2 diabetes in women.

Who was studied?

The study involved 69,554 women who volunteered for the Nurses' Health Study (NHS), a project started in 1976. The women were 30 to 55 years old when the NHS began. For this study, the women were followed up on over a 14-year period, from 1984 to 1998. The study did not include women with a history of cancer, heart disease, or diabetes.

How was the study done?

The women answered survey questions every 4 years. They were asked about their diet, including the types of food they ate and portion sizes.

Women were put into two groups, based on the kind of diet they tended to eat. The "prudent diet" group ate more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, poultry, and low-fat dairy products. The "Western diet" group ate more red and processed meats, refined grains, sweets and desserts, and high-fat dairy products.

Over the years, 2,699 women got type 2 diabetes. Researchers looked at how common diabetes is among women in the two groups. Body weight, use of alcohol, cigarette smoking, hormone therapy, and other factors were taken into account.

What did the researchers find?

Women who followed the Western-diet had a greater risk of type 2 diabetes, particularly if they ate processed meats, bacon, and hot dogs. Overall, the Western diet raised the risk of diabetes by nearly 50% among the women in this study.

What were the limitations of the study?

This study was done by questionnaire, so the answers could be affected by the women's honesty and memory.

What are the implications of the study?

To reduce the risk of getting diabetes, women should eat less red and processed meats, refined grains, and sugary foods.

In addition to staying at a healthy weight, eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, poultry, and low-fat dairy products may help limit the risk of diabetes.