Dietary Patterns and Metabolic Syndrome among Type 2 Diabetes Patients in Gaza Strip, Palestine

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome is raisingworldwide; however, the role of diet in the origin of metabolicsyndrome is not understood well. This study identifies major dietarypatterns among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with and withoutmetabolic syndrome; and its association with metabolic syndromecomponents in Gaza Strip, Palestine.METHODS: This cross sectional study was conducted among 1200previously diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (both genders, aged20 - 64 years) patients receiving care in primary healthcare centersin Gaza Strip, Palestine. Metabolic syndrome was defined based onthe International Diabetes Federation criteria; dietary patternswere evaluated using a validated semi-quantitative food frequencyquestionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSSversion 20.RESULTS: Two major dietary patterns were identified by factoranalysis: Asian-like pattern and sweet-soft drinks-snacks pattern.After adjustment for confounding variables, patients in the highesttertile of the Asian-like pattern characterized by a high intake ofwhole grains, potatoes, beans, legumes, vegetables, tomatoes andfruithad a lower odds for (Metabolic syndrome, central obesity,high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol and high blood pressure),(OR 0.766 CI 95% (.642-.914)), (OR 0.797 CI 95% (.652-.974)),(OR 0.791 CI 95% (.687-.911)), (OR 0.853 CI 95% (.743-.978)) and(OR 0.815 CI 95% (.682-.973)) respectively, (P value < 0.05 for all).No significant association was found between the sweet-soft drinks-snacks pattern with metabolic syndrome and its components.CONCLUSION: The Asian-like pattern may be associated with alower prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components amongtype 2 diabetes patients.KEYWORDS: Dietary patterns, Factor analysis, Metabolicsyndrome, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, Palestine