Change in Adherence to DASH Diet and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Youth with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: The SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study

Abstract

Youth with diabetes are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We evaluated whether change in adherence to the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet was associated with change in CVD risk factors in youth with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Adherence to DASH was assessed using an index score (range=0–80). Longitudinal mixed models were utilized to examine the relationship between change in DASH adherence and change in CVD risk overtime in 806 participants. Diet adherence was poor and appeared to change very little over time (mean= −0.17 for type 1 and −0.36 for type 2). However, an increase in DASH adherence was significantly associated with decreases in triglyceride and A1c levels in youth with type 1 diabetes. Thus, a 10 point increase in DASH score was related to a 0.23% decrease in A1c and 5.91 mg/dl decrease in triglycerides. No significant associations were observed in youth with type 2 diabetes. Improvements in dietary quality may have beneficial effects in youth with type 1 diabetes. Further work in larger groups of youth with type 1 and 2 diabetes is desirable. Funded by CDC PA #'s 00097, DP‐05‐069, and DP‐10‐001.