IJERPH, Vol. 20, Pages 2246: Adherence to the Taiwan Daily Food Guide and the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: A Populational Study in Taiwan (International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health)

This study aims to examine whether adherence to the Taiwan Daily Food Guide relates to the risk of type 2 diabetes. A population-based study was conducted using data from the Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (NAHSIT) 2013–2016. Dietary intakes were assessed using a validated food-frequency questionnaire. Type 2 diabetes was defined as a fasting serum HbA1c level of 6.5% or higher or participants who have received treatment for type 2 diabetes or have reported a physician diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. A total of 2534 Taiwanese adults aged 19 and above were included. We found that the Daily Food Guide adherence was negatively associated with the prevalence of type 2 diabetes. The odds ratios (ORs) for those in the fourth quartile of the recommended total servings was 0.67 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.45–0.99) compared with those in the first quartile. In addition, those who were men (OR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.07–1.98), aged more than 50 to 65 (OR = 6.48, 95% CI = 2.57–16.35), or more than 65 (OR = 6.81, 95% CI = 2.56–18.08), with body mass index (BMI) of 24 to less than 27 (OR = 2.08, 95% CI = 1.55–2.79), had BMI of more than 27 (OR = 3.63, 95% CI = 2.73–4.83), had an education level of junior high and high school (OR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.03–2.74), were divorced, separated, widowed, or refused to answer (OR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.03–1.88) were associated with an increased prevalence of type 2 diabetes. In conclusion, people who adhere better to the Taiwan Daily Food Guide were found to have a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.