Association of modified Nordic diet with cardiovascular risk factors among type 2 diabetes patients: a cross-sectional study

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the most important causes of mortality. Healthy diets can decrease CVDs and other chronic diseases especially in patients with type 2 diabetes. In this study, we investigate association between adherence to the modified Nordic diet and cardiovascular risk factors among patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 339 type 2 diabetic patients. Anthropometric indices, blood pressure, and biochemical tests were evaluated. A validated and reliable semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to assess dietary intake. Nordic diet scores were calculated based on median intakes of six food groups. Results: Body mass index (BMI) was higher among participants who were in the lowest tertile of adherence to the Nordic diet (P = 0.006). There was a significant association between socioeconomic status (SES) and adherence to the Nordic diet (P < 0.0001). Participants who were in the top category of adherence to the diet had significantly lower levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (P < 0.0001). There was a significant inverse association between adherence to the Nordic diet and low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels (odds ratio [OR] = 0.29 95% CI: 0.09, 0.91, P = 0.025), high systolic blood pressure (SBP) levels (OR = 0.35 95% CI = 0.17-0.74, P = 0.015), and risk of obesity (OR = 0.25 95% CI: 0.10, 0.63, P = 0.03).