Background: Type 2 diabetes remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Diet has been identified as a modifiable risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes.
Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between diet-quality score designed for use in the Australian population with risk of type 2 diabetes.
Method: A total of 8370 nationally representative Australian mid-aged women free of diabetes participating in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health were included in the study. Dietary guideline index (DGI) was computed from the baseline validated food frequency questionnaire. The association between DGI score and type 2 diabetes were assessed using multiple logistic regression adjusting for total energy intake, demographics and lifestyle factors.
Results: During 6 years of follow-up, 311 incident cases of type 2 diabetes were reported. After adjustment, DGI score was inversely associated with type 2 diabetes risk (relative risk [RR] comparing the highest to the lowest quintile was 0.51, 95% CI 0.35-0.76, P= 0.01).
Conclusion: This prospective study suggests that adherence to established dietary guidelines as measured by DGI score is inversely associated with type 2 diabetes risk in mid-aged Australian women.