Diets Varying in Nutrient Density and Climate Impact and Their Association With Risk of Myocardial Infarction in Northern Sweden

Abstract

ObjectivesAssess the effects of diets varying in nutrient density and climate impact on risk of myocardial infarction (MI). MethodsDietary data from 39 927 women and 37 390 men 35–65 years in the population-based prospective study Västerbotten Intervention Programme (Sweden) between the years 1990–2016 were used to characterize dietary quality and dietary climate impact. Nutrient density was estimated by the Sweden-adapted Nutrient Rich Foods index NRF11.3, based on 11 nutrients (protein, dietary fiber, iron, folate, vitamins A, C, D, E, magnesium, calcium, potassium) to be encouraged and three nutrients (saturated fat, added sugar, sodium) to be limited. Dietary climate impact was estimated using data from life cycle assessments. Information on MI diagnosis was obtained from registers at the National Board of Health and Welfare in Sweden using personal identification numbers. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression for four groups of women and men, respectively higher nutrient density, lower climate impact; higher nutrient density, higher climate impact; lower nutrient density, lower climate impact; and lower nutrient density, higher climate impact (reference group). Potential confounders were adjusted for. ResultsMedian follow-up times from recruitment to MI diagnosis for women were 15.8 years and for men 12.8 years, during which time 962 and 2 607 first-time events occurred, respectively. For men a significantly increased risk of MI was found for the group with lower nutrient density and lower climate impact [HR 1.20 (95% CI: 1.06, 1.34); P = 0.003] compared to the group with lower nutrient density and higher climate impact. No significant association was found between the groups of nutrient density and dietary climate impact and MI in women, although a similar trend as that for men was found. ConclusionsA lower compared with a higher dietary climate impact was associated with a higher risk of MI in men when diet quality was below median values, reflecting the importance of considering diet quality when decreasing the climate impact of diets. For women no significant relationship was identified. Funding SourcesThe Swedish Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning (Formas).