Prospective study of major dietary patterns and risk of coronary heart disease in men

BACKGROUND: Previous studies on diet and coronary heart disease (CHD) focused primarily on individual nutrients or foods. OBJECTIVE: We examined whether overall dietary patterns derived from a food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) predict risk of CHD in men. DESIGN: This was a prospective cohort study of 44875 men aged 40-75 y without diagnosed cardiovascular disease or cancer at baseline in 1986. RESULTS: During 8 y of follow-up, we documented 1089 cases of CHD (nonfatal myocardial infarction and fatal CHD). Using factor analysis, we identified 2 major dietary patterns using dietary data collected through a 131-item FFQ. The first factor, which we labeled the "prudent pattern," was characterized by higher intake of vegetables, fruit, legumes, whole grains, fish, and poultry, whereas the second factor, the "Western pattern," was characterized by higher intake of red meat, processed meat, refined grains, sweets and dessert, French fries, and high-fat dairy products. After adjustment for age and CHD risk factors, the relative risks from the lowest to highest quintiles of the prudent pattern score were 1.0, 0. 87, 0.79, 0.75, and 0.70 (95% CI: 0.56, 0.86; P: for trend = 0.0009). In contrast, the relative risks across increasing quintiles of the Western pattern score were 1.0, 1.21, 1.36, 1.40, and 1.64 (95% CI: 1.24, 2.17; P: for trend < 0.0001). These associations persisted in subgroup analyses according to cigarette smoking, body mass index, and parental history of myocardial infarction. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that major dietary patterns derived from the FFQ predict risk of CHD, independent of other lifestyle variables.     

Prospective study of dietary patterns and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among US women

BACKGROUND: Although many foods and nutrients are associated with lung function or symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the relation between overall diet and newly diagnosed COPD is not known. OBJECTIVE: We assessed the relation between dietary patterns and newly diagnosed COPD in women. DESIGN: Data were collected from a large prospective cohort of US women (Nurses' Health Study). Between 1984 and 2000, 754 self-reported confirmed cases of newly diagnosed COPD were identified among 72 043 women. With the use of principal component analysis, 2 dietary patterns were identified: a prudent pattern (fruit, vegetables, fish, whole-grain products) and a Western pattern (refined grains, cured and red meats, desserts, French fries). Patterns were categorized into quintiles, and the risk of COPD was compared between quintiles (lowest as reference) with the use of Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: After adjustments for 14 potential confounders, the prudent pattern was negatively associated with risk of newly diagnosed COPD [relative risk (RR) for highest compared with lowest quintile: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.58, 0.98; P for trend = 0.02] whereas the Western pattern was positively associated with risk of COPD (RR for highest compared with lowest quintile: 1.31; 95% CI: 0.94, 1.82; P for trend = 0.02). In contrast with findings for COPD, dietary patterns were not associated with the risk of adult-onset asthma. CONCLUSION: In women, a negative association was found between a diet rich in fruit, vegetables, and fish and the risk of COPD, whereas a positive association was found between a diet rich in refined grains, cured and red meats, desserts, and French fries and the risk of COPD.     

Impact of Consumption of Vegetable,Fruit, Grain,and High Glycemic Index Foods on Aggressive Prostate Cancer Risk

Prostate cancer is a common but complex disease, and distinguishing modifiable risk factors such as diet for more aggressive disease is extremely important. Previous work has detected intriguing associations between vegetable, fruit, and grains and more aggressive prostate cancer, although these remain somewhat unclear. Here we further investigate such potential relationships with a case-control study of 982 men (470 more aggressive prostate cancer cases and 512 control subjects). Comparing the highest to lowest quartiles of intake, we found that increasing intakes of leafy vegetables were inversely associated with risk of aggressive prostate cancer [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.46, 0.96; P trend = 0.02], as was higher consumption of high carotenoid vegetables (OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.48, 1.04; P trend = 0.04). Conversely, increased consumption of high glycemic index foods were positively associated with risk of aggressive disease (OR = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.05, 2.57; P trend = 0.02). These results were driven by a number of specific foods within the food groups. Our findings support the hypothesis that diets high in vegetables and low in high glycemic index foods decrease risk of aggressive prostate cancer.     

Dietary patterns and glucose tolerance abnormalities in Japanese men

The Western dietary pattern appears to confer diabetes risk, but the role of dietary patterns in Asian populations remains unclear. We investigated the association between major dietary patterns and the glucose tolerance status of Japanese men. Abnormalities included impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, and type 2 diabetes. Subjects were 2106 Japanese men who were administered a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test at their preretirement health check-ups. Information about diet was obtained using a 74-item FFQ before the test. Three dietary patterns were generated by factor analysis: 1) a high-dairy, high-fruit and -vegetable, high-starch, low-alcohol pattern; 2) an animal food pattern; and 3) a Japanese pattern. We used logistic regression analysis to estimate odds ratios (OR) with adjustment for potential confounding variables. A significant inverse association was found for the high-dairy, high-fruit and -vegetable, high-starch, low-alcohol pattern (P for trend < 0.0001); the OR of having a glucose tolerance abnormality (impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, or type 2 diabetes) for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quartiles were 0.80 (95% CI = 0.62-1.04), 0.71 (95% CI = 0.54-0.92), and 0.51 (95% CI = 0.38-0.67), respectively, compared with the lowest quartile. The inverse association was consistent for each glucose tolerance abnormality as well as across subgroups stratified by risk factors for diabetes. The Japanese dietary pattern was positively associated with impaired glucose tolerance (P for trend = 0.048). A dietary pattern characterized by frequent consumption of dairy products and fruits and vegetables but low alcohol intake may be associated with a decreased risk of developing a glucose tolerance abnormality.     

Dietary intake of lycopene is associated with reduced pancreatic cancer risk

Although fruits and vegetables have been implicated in the etiology of pancreatic cancer, the role of phytochemicals in these food groups has received little attention to date. In this study, we investigated the possible association between dietary carotenoids and pancreatic cancer risk. A case-control study of 462 histologically confirmed pancreatic cancer cases and 4721 population-based controls in 8 Canadian provinces took place between 1994 and 1997. Dietary intake was assessed by a self-administered FFQ. Unconditional logistic regression was used to assess associations between specific and total carotenoid intakes and the risk of pancreatic cancer. All tests of statistical significance were 2-sided. After adjustment for age, province, BMI, smoking, educational attainment, dietary folate, and total energy intake, lycopene, provided mainly by tomatoes, was associated with a 31% reduction in pancreatic cancer risk among men [odds ratio (OR) = 0.69; 95% CI: 0.46-0.96; P = 0.026 for trend] when comparing the highest and lowest quartiles of intake. Both beta-carotene (OR = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.32-0.99; P = 0.016 for trend) and total carotenoids (OR = 0.58; 95% CI: 0.34-1.00; P = 0.02 for trend) were associated with a significantly reduced risk among those who never smoked. The results of this study suggest that a diet rich in tomatoes and tomato-based products with high lycopene content may help reduce pancreatic cancer risk.     

Case-Control Study of Dietary Patterns and Endometrial Cancer Risk

Dietary patterns, rather than intakes of specific foods or nutrients, may influence risk of endometrial cancer (EC). This population-based case-control study in Canada (2002–2006) included incident EC cases (n = 506) from the Alberta Cancer Registry and controls frequency age-matched to cases (n = 981). Past-year dietary patterns were defined using factor analysis of food frequency questionnaire data. Logistic regression was used to estimate EC risk within quartiles of dietary patterns. Three patterns (sweets, meat, plants) explained 23% of the variance in the dietary data. In multivariable models, EC risk was significantly reduced by 30% for women in the highest quartile of the healthier plants pattern (OR = 0.70, 95% CI 0.50–0.98, P trend = 0.02). When stratified by body mass index (BMI; kg/m²), risk was further reduced among overweight or obese women with a BMI ≥25 (OR = 0.57, 95% CI 0.39–0.83; P trend = 0.004). EC was not associated with the less healthy sweets and meat patterns. However, risk was modestly, but not significantly, elevated for higher intakes of the meat pattern among overweight or obese women. A mostly plant-based dietary pattern may reduce EC risk. Recommendations for risk reduction should focus on maintaining a healthy weight and the role of diet should be studied further.     

Dietary Patterns and Breast Cancer Risk in Korean Women

We evaluated the association between dietary patterns and breast cancer risk according to menopausal and hormone receptor status among Korean women. In a study with 357 cases and 357 age-matched controls, dietary patterns (vegetable-seafood and meat-starch) were derived via principle component analysis based on 39 food groups from a food frequency questionnaire. The relation between dietary patterns and breast cancer risk was assessed by using multivariate logistic regression. The vegetable-seafood pattern was inversely associated with breast cancer risk [odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for high vs. low intake = 0.14 (0.08–0.25); P for trend < 0.001]. No association between the meat-starch pattern and breast cancer risk was found. The association between dietary patterns and breast cancer risk was not modified by menopausal and combined hormone receptor status. These findings indicate that a diet rich in vegetables and seafood is associated with a decreased breast cancer risk in Korean women.     

Dietary patterns and risk of incident gastric adenocarcinoma

Few studies have assessed the relation between dietary patterns and gastric adenocarcinoma risk, yet this approach has advantages over single-nutrient analysis, including the ability to reflect eating patterns in populations and ease of implementing dietary recommendations. The authors evaluated associations between dietary patterns, a food index score, and incident gastric cancer risk in a Canadian study of 1,169 cases and 2,332 controls (1995-1997). Dietary patterns were assessed via factor analysis applied to a food frequency questionnaire. A food index score was derived based on risk factors for gastric cancer. A multivariable-adjusted prudent dietary pattern was associated with decreased risk of gastric cancer in women (odds ratio (OR) = 0.58, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.37, 0.92); a Western dietary pattern was associated with increased risk in women (OR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.20, 2.89) and men (OR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.03, 2.02). The food index score was associated with decreased risk among women (OR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.27, 0.59) and men (OR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.45, 0.88). Dietary patterns especially characterized by Western features (soft drinks, processed meats, refined grains, and sugars) were associated with increased risk of gastric adenocarcinoma, whereas dietary patterns characterized by increased consumption of fruits, vegetables, and fish were associated with lessened risk.     

Dietary patterns as identified by factor analysis and colorectal cancer among middle-aged Americans

BACKGROUND: Although diet has long been suspected as an etiological factor for colorectal cancer, studies of single foods and nutrients have provided inconsistent results. OBJECTIVE: We used factor analysis methods to study associations between dietary patterns and colorectal cancer in middle-aged Americans. DESIGN: Diet was assessed among 293,615 men and 198,767 women in the National Institutes of Health-AARP Diet and Health Study. Principal components factor analysis identified 3 primary dietary patterns: a fruit and vegetables, a diet foods, and a red meat and potatoes pattern. State cancer registries identified 2151 incident cases of colorectal cancer in men and 959 in women between 1995 and 2000. RESULTS: Men with high scores on the fruit and vegetable pattern were at decreased risk [relative risk (RR) for quintile (Q) 5 versus Q1: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.70, 0.93; P for trend = 0.004]. Both men and women had a similar risk reduction with high scores on the diet food factor: men (RR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.72, 0.94; P for trend = 0.001) and women (RR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.71, 1.07; P for trend = 0.06). High scores on the red meat factor were associated with increased risk: men (RR: 1.17; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.35; P for trend = 0.14) and women (RR: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.20, 1.83; P for trend = 0.0002). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that dietary patterns characterized by a low frequency of meat and potato consumption and frequent consumption of fruit and vegetables and fat-reduced foods are consistent with a decreased risk of colorectal cancer.     

Tea as a Potential Chemopreventive Agent in PhIP Carcinogenesis: Effects of Green Tea and Black Tea on PhIP-DNA Adduct Formation in Female F-344 Rats

Disturbances in DNA methylation have been hypothesized as being involved in carcinogenesis. It has been proposed that dietary factors such as folate, alcohol, and methionine may be associated with colon cancer because of their involvement in DNA methylation processes. Data from a large retrospective population‐based case‐control study of incident colon cancer were used to evaluate whether intake of alcohol and other dietary factors involved in DNA methylation are associated with colon cancer. Dietary data were obtained using a detailed diet history questionnaire. We did not observe strong independent associations between folate, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, methionine, or alcohol and risk of colon cancer after adjusting for body size, physical activity, cigarette smoking patterns, energy intake, and dietary intake of fiber and calcium. However, when assessing the associations between colon cancer and a composite dietary profile based on alcohol intake, methionine, folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6 we observed a trend of increasing risk as one moved from a low‐ to a high‐risk group. This trend was modest and most marked in those diagnosed at a younger age [odds ratio (OR) for men = 1.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.9–1.9; OR for women = 1.6, 95% CI= 1.0–2.6]. We observed that associations with this high‐risk dietary profile were greater among those who took aspirin or nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs on a regular basis and were younger at the time of diagnosis (men OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.0–3.2; women OR = 2.2, 95% CI= 1.0–4.8) and for distal tumors (men OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 0.9–2.3; women OR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.0–3.8). Findings from this study provide only limited support for previously reported associations between dietary factors involved in DNA methylation and risk of colon cancer.     

Prospective study of diet and venous thromboembolism in US women and men

The authors investigated diet as a risk factor for the development of venous thromboembolism (VTE) among 129,430 US women and men in the Nurses' Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-up Study. There were 2,892 cases of VTE from 1984 through 2008. Information on participants' dietary intakes was collected every 2-4 years using a food frequency questionnaire. Dietary patterns (prudent vs. Western), food intakes (fruit, vegetables, fish, red and processed meats, and alcohol), and nutrient intakes (omega-3 fatty acids, trans fatty acids, total fiber, and vitamins K(1), B(6), B(12), and E) were categorized into quintiles, and the risk of VTE was compared among quintiles with the use of Cox proportional hazard models. After adjusting the results for 17 potential confounders, the authors found that adherence to the Western dietary pattern was associated with an increased risk of VTE in men (for the highest quintile vs. the lowest, relative risk = 1.43, 95% confidence interval: 1.16, 1.78; P for trend < 0.001) but not in women (relative risk = 1.14, 95% confidence interval: 0.91, 1.42; P for trend = 0.09). Favorable associations were found in the pooled analysis for intakes of vitamins E and B(6) and fiber. For intakes of red and processed meat and trans fatty acids, no association was found in women, whereas a significant positive association was found in men. These results suggest a weak association between diet and the risk of VTE.     

Correlates of the "western" and "prudent" diet patterns in the us

PURPOSE: Underlying the diversity and changeability of US eating habits are fundamental dietary patterns shaped by common sociohistorical experiences. Currently, little is known of what patterns exist or their associations with sociodemographic/lifestyle factors. We examined these issues in third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data.METHODS: Analyses were based on 5,794 US-born, white participants. Interviews included a 60-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and questions on sociodemographics and health behaviors. Dietary patterns were identified by principal components analysis on FFQ responses. Component scores representing intake level of each pattern were dichotomized at the median. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).RESULTS: We identified two primary dietary patterns-a "western" pattern characterized by processed and red meats, eggs, potatoes, and refined grains, and a "prudent" pattern characterized by cruciferous vegetables, greens, carrots, salads, and fresh fruits. The two patterns occurred across geographic regions and in both women and men. After age- and sex-adjustment, the "western" diet was associated with rural residence (OR = 1.9, 95% CI 1.7-2.2), working class status (OR = 1.4, 95% CI 1.2-1.6), and lack of high school completion (OR = 1.6, 95% CI 1.4-1.8). The "prudent" diet was associated with high school completion (OR = 2.8, 95% CI 2.5-3.3) and behaviors reflecting greater health awareness, such as daily physical activity (OR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.8-2.2), non-smoking (OR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.8-2.4), and supplement use (OR = 1.8, 95% CI 1.6-2.0).CONCLUSIONS: The two dietary patterns resemble those found in previous US studies. Findings regarding correlates agree with social histories describing the emergence of those patterns. Principal components analysis is potentially useful for identifying fundamental dietary patterns for future investigations of diet-disease associations.     

Calcium and vitamin D intake and risk of colorectal cancer: the Multiethnic Cohort Study

The associations of intakes of calcium and vitamin D with colorectal cancer risk were examined in the Multiethnic Cohort Study (Hawaii and Los Angeles, California). In 1993-1996, 85,903 men and 105,108 women aged > or =45 years completed a quantitative food frequency questionnaire. A total of 2,110 incident cases of colorectal cancer (1,138 in men and 972 in women) were identified through December 31, 2001. Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate multivariate-adjusted relative risks and 95% confidence intervals. Total calcium intake (from foods and supplements) was inversely associated with colorectal cancer risk in both men (highest quintile vs. lowest: relative risk (RR) = 0.70, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.52, 0.93; p for trend = 0.006) and women (RR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.50, 0.83; p for trend = 0.003). The inverse association was also seen for total vitamin D intake in men (RR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.51, 1.00; p for trend = 0.03) but not in women. Intake of dairy products was inversely associated with colorectal cancer risk, especially among nonusers of supplemental calcium (men: RR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.59, 1.01; women: RR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.49, 0.89). The findings support the hypothesis of protective roles for calcium, vitamin D, and dairy products in the risk of colorectal cancer.     

Fruit,Vegetable, and Animal Food Intake and Breast Cancer Risk by Hormone Receptor Status

The effects of diet on breast cancer are controversial and whether the effects vary with hormone receptor status has not been well investigated. This study evaluated the associations of dietary factors with risk for breast cancer overall and by the hormone receptor status of tumors among Chinese women. The Shanghai Breast Cancer Study, a large, population-based, case-control study, enrolled 3,443 cases and 3,474 controls in 1996–1998 (phase I) and 2002–2005 (phase II); 2676 cases had estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) data. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated, quantitative, food frequency questionnaire. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were derived from multivariate, polychotomous, unconditional logistic regression models. Total vegetable intake was inversely related to breast cancer risk, with an adjusted OR for the highest quintile of 0.80 (95% CI = 0.67–0.95; P trend = 0.02). Reduced risk was also related to high intake of allium vegetables (P trend = 0.01) and fresh legumes (P trend = 0.0008). High intake of citrus fruits and rosaceae fruits were inversely associated with breast cancer risk (P trend = 0.003 and 0.004, respectively), although no consistent association was seen for total fruit intake. Elevated risk was observed for all types of meat and fish intake (all P trend < 0.05), whereas intakes of eggs and milk were associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer (both P trend <0.05). There was little evidence that associations with dietary intakes varied across the 4 tumor subtypes or between ER+/PR+ and ER-/PR- tumors (P for heterogeneity >0.05). Our results suggest that high intake of total vegetables, certain fruits, milk, and eggs may reduce the risk of breast cancer, whereas high consumption of animal-source foods may increase risk. The dietary associations did not appear to vary by ER/PR status.     

Intake of n-6 and n-3 fatty acids and fish and risk of community-acquired pneumonia in US men

BACKGROUND: Essential fatty acids modulate inflammation and glucose metabolism and may alter infection risk. OBJECTIVE: We examined the association between intakes of n-6 and n-3 fatty acids and fish and the risk of community-acquired pneumonia. DESIGN: We prospectively evaluated 38,378 male US health professionals aged 44-79 y at the outset. We updated medical and lifestyle information biennially through questionnaires and diet every 4 y with the use of a validated food-frequency questionnaire. We excluded men who reported pneumonia, myocardial infarction, stroke, other heart disease, arterial surgery, cancer, or asthma before 1990 or those with incomplete dietary data. Community-acquired pneumonia was determined by blinded medical record review of chest radiographs. RESULTS: During 10 y of follow-up, there were 441 new cases of nonfatal community-acquired pneumonia. Pneumonia risk was lower in men in the highest energy-adjusted quintiles of intake than in men in the lowest quintiles of intake of linoleic acid [multivariate relative risk (RR): 0.70; 95% CI: 0.51, 0.96; P for trend = 0.01] and alpha-linolenic acid (multivariate RR: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.50, 0.93; P for trend = 0.01). Pneumonia risk decreased 4% for every 1-g/d increase in linoleic acid intake (multivariate RR: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.93, 0.99). Pneumonia risk was reduced by 31% for every 1-g/d increase in alpha-linolenic acid intake (multivariate RR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.51, 0.93). Intakes of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid were not significantly related to pneumonia risk. CONCLUSION: Higher intakes of alpha-linolenic and linoleic acids and possibly of fish may reduce the risk of pneumonia.     

Obesity and Excess Protein and Carbohydrate Consumption Are Risk Factors for Thyroid Cancer

Conflicting data concerning the association between obesity and differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) may be attributed to the lack of records showing dietary intake and inadequate evaluation of nutrient composition. We evaluated 115 DTC patients carefully paired with 103 healthy control individuals by using a structured questionnaire, including a 24-h recordatory during 3 days, to investigate calorie intake and macronutrient (proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids) composition of the diet. We observed that excess weight (body mass index > 25 kg/m²) increased individual susceptibility to DTC [odds ratio (OR) = 3.787; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.115–6.814; P < 0.0001). This augmented risk was evident in women (OR = 1.925; 95% CI = 1.110–3.338; P = 0.0259) but not in men (P = 0.3498). Excess calorie intake was more frequent in patients with DTC than in controls (OR = 5.890; 95% CI = 3.124–11.103; P < 0.0001), and both excess protein (OR = 4.601; 95% CI = 1.634–12.954; P = 0.0039) and carbohydrate (OR = 4.905; 95% CI = 2.593–9.278; P < 0.0001) consumption were associated with an increased risk of DTC, contrarily to lipid/fiber intake and physical activity (P = 0.894 and 0.5932, respectively). In conclusion, our data indicate that overweight and risk of DTC are associated with higher protein and carbohydrate consumption than the rates recommended by the World Health Organization. The nutritional orientation should be part of preventive strategy targets designed to combat the increasing incidence of both obesity and DTC.     

Food patterns measured by factor analysis and anthropometric changes in adults

BACKGROUND: Sixty-five percent of US adults are overweight, and 31% of these adults are obese. Obesity results from weight gains over time; however, dietary determinants of weight gain remain controversial. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to examine whether food patterns derived from exploratory factor analysis are related to anthropometric changes. We hypothesized that we would derive a healthy food pattern and that it would predict smaller changes in body mass index (BMI; in kg/m(2)) and waist circumference (in cm) than would other food patterns in models adjusted for baseline anthropometric measures. DESIGN: The subjects were 459 healthy men and women participating in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. Diet was assessed by using 7-d dietary records, from which 40 food groups were formed and entered into a factor analysis. RESULTS: Six food patterns were derived. Factor 1 (reduced-fat dairy products, fruit, and fiber) was most strongly associated with fiber (r = 0.39) and loaded heavily on reduced-fat dairy products, cereal, and fruit and loaded moderately on fruit juice, nonwhite bread, nuts and seeds, whole grains, and beans and legumes. In a multivariate-adjusted model in which the highest and lowest quintiles were compared, factor 1 was inversely associated with annual change in BMI (beta = -0.51; 95% CI: -0.82, -0.20; P < 0.05; P for trend < 0.01) in women and inversely associated with annual change in waist circumference (beta = -1.06 cm; 95% CI: -1.88, -0.24 cm; P < 0.05; P for trend = 0.04) in both sexes. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that a pattern rich in reduced-fat dairy products and high-fiber foods may lead to smaller gains in BMI in women and smaller gains in waist circumference in both women and men.     

Dietary Intake of Soy Protein and Tofu in Association With Breast Cancer Risk Based on a Case-Control Study

Soy food and its constituents may protect against breast cancer, but the association between soy intake and decreased breast cancer risk is inconsistent. We evaluated the relationship between breast cancer risk and the dietary intake of soy protein as measured by total soy food and tofu intake. Histologically confirmed cases ( n = 362) were matched to controls by age (within 2 yr) and menopausal status. High soy protein intake was associated with reduced breast cancer risk in analyses adjusted for potential confounders including dietary factors among premenopausal women (odds ratio [OR] = 0.39 in the highest quintile, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.22–0.93, P for trend = 0.03) and postmenopausal women (OR = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.06–0.88, P for trend = 0.16). We also found an inverse association between total tofu intake and breast cancer risk among premenopausal women (for total tofu intake, OR = 0.23 in the highest quintile, 95% CI = 0.11–0.48, P for trend < 0.01; for at least 1 serving of tofu as the main ingredient per day, OR = 0.26, 95% CI = 0.13–0.55, P for trend < 0.01). We concluded that increased regular soy food intake at a level equivalent to traditional Korean consumption levels may be associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer, and this effect is more pronounced in premenopausal women.     

Western Dietary Pattern,But not Mediterranean Dietary Pattern,Increases the Risk of Prostate Cancer

Background and aim: Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men. Several studies have investigated the effects of dietary patterns on prostate cancer risk, but this topic is still a matter of debate. This study aimed to examine the association between dietary patterns and prostate cancer risk.

Methods: In a case-control study, 60 newly diagnosed prostate cancer cases and 60 hospital-based controls were selected from two main hospitals of Shiraz, Iran. Data on dietary intakes, anthropometric features, and demographic characteristics were collected. To determine the dietary patterns factor analysis, and to estimate the odds ratios (ORs), multivariable logistic regression was performed.

Results: Two major dietary patterns were identified: Western dietary (WD) pattern and Mediterranean dietary (MD) pattern. After adjusting for potential confounders, men who had higher scores for WD pattern (above the median) were more likely to have prostate cancer (OR?=?5.15; 95% CI (1.44–18.47); P?=?0.01) compared with men who had lower scores. A nonsignificant inverse association was found for MD pattern (OR?=?0.62; 95% CI (0.22–1.77); P?=?0.37).

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that WD pattern may increase the risk of prostate cancer and the beneficial effects of MD pattern on prostate cancer risk need further research.     

Dietary pattern, inflammation, and incidence of type 2 diabetes in women

BACKGROUND: Inflammation is considered a key mechanism leading to type 2 diabetes, but dietary exposures that lead to inflammation and diabetes are largely unknown. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to investigate the relation between a dietary pattern associated with biomarkers of inflammation and the incidence of type 2 diabetes. DESIGN: We conducted a nested case-control study of 656 cases of type 2 diabetes and 694 controls among women in the Nurses' Health Study and 2 prospective cohort studies of 35,340 women in the Nurses' Health Study and 89,311 women in the Nurses' Health Study II who were followed for incident diabetes. RESULTS: Through the use of reduced rank regression, we identified a dietary pattern that was strongly related to inflammatory markers in the nested case-control study. This pattern, which was high in sugar-sweetened soft drinks, refined grains, diet soft drinks, and processed meat but low in wine, coffee, cruciferous vegetables, and yellow vegetables, was associated with an increased risk of diabetes (multivariate-adjusted odds ratio comparing extreme quintiles: 3.09; 95% CI: 1.99, 4.79). We identified 1517 incident cases of confirmed type 2 diabetes in the Nurses' Health Study (458,991 person-years) and 724 incident cases in the Nurses' Health Study II (701,155 person-years). After adjustment for body mass index and other potential lifestyle confounders, the relative risks comparing extreme quintiles of the pattern were 2.56 (95% CI: 2.10, 3.12; P for trend < 0.001) in the Nurses' Health Study and 2.93 (95% CI: 2.18, 3.92; P for trend < 0.001) in the Nurses' Health Study II. CONCLUSION: The dietary pattern identified may increase chronic inflammation and raise the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.