Consumption of Plant Foods and Its Association with Cardiovascular Disease Risk Profile in South Africans at High-Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Oct 14;19(20):13264. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192013264.

Abstract

We assessed the distribution and association of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors by plant foods consumption in individuals at high-risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus. This cross-sectional study utilized baseline data of 693 participants in the South African Diabetes Prevention Programme. Participants underwent a physical examination, biochemical analysis, and dietary assessment using a single non-quantified 24-h recall. Group comparisons were conducted to explore the distribution and associations of common CVD risk factors by plant foods consumption. The mean age of the participants was 51 years, with 81% being females. Consumers of yellow-coloured vitamin A-rich vegetables and tubers and maize had significantly lower systolic blood pressure, fasting insulin, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and fibrinogen levels. Cereals consumption increased the likelihood of obesity (OR = 1.72 95% CI [1.09, 2.70] p = 0.019) while the consumption of white roots and tubers decreased the likelihood of obesity (AOR = 0.64 95% CI [0.41, 1.00] p = 0.048). This study reported the consumption of some healthy plant foods with lower levels of, and decreased risk for, some CVD risk factors. A further in-depth investigation is needed to understand these associations.

Keywords: cardiovascular disease risk factors; plant foods; type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cardiovascular Diseases* / etiology
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Fibrinogen
  • Humans
  • Insulins*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / complications
  • Obesity / epidemiology
  • Risk Factors
  • South Africa / epidemiology
  • Triglycerides
  • Vitamin A

Substances

  • Vitamin A
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Triglycerides
  • Fibrinogen
  • Insulins

Grants and funding

The SA-DPP study was funded by the Non-Communicable Diseases Research Unit of the SAMRC. This cross-sectional study is part of a thesis that T.L. will submit as a doctoral study at Stellenbosch University. T.L. is a beneficiary of the SAMRC, Internship Scholarship Programme. The work reported herein was made possible through funding by the South African Medical Research Council through its Division of Research Capacity Development under the Internship Scholarship Programme from funding received from the South African National Treasury. The content hereof is the sole responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the SAMRC or the funders.