Dietary patterns and risk factors for Type 2 diabetes mellitus in Fijian, Japanese and Vietnamese populations

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is now a serious and increasing problem in Asian countries, where dietary patterns have shifted toward Westernized foods and people are becoming more sedentary. In order to elucidate the relationship of dietary habits to the development of diabetic risk factors, the dietary patterns of 200 Fijian, 171 Japanese and 181 Vietnamese women of 30-39 years of age were investigated using 3 day-24 h recall or dietary records. Anthropometric measurements and glycosuria tests were also conducted. The dietary trends of Fijians and Japanese have changed drastically in the past 50 years, while Vietnamese have been minimally influenced by Western dietary habits. The mean 24 h dietary intake showed that Fijians had the highest energy intake. Energy intake from fat was only 13% for Vietnamese, but over 30% for Japanese and Fijians. Percentage of body fat was higher in Vietnamese than in Japanese, though there were no significant differences in body mass index (BMI). In the overweight and obese women, Vietnamese had higher abdominal obesity than Japanese. The prevalence of obesity (BMI > or = 30 kg/m2) was 63.0% for Fijians, 1.8% for Japanese and 1.1% for Vietnamese. Glycosuria testing yielded the most positive cases among Fijians. Dietary transition and dietary excess appear to be potential risk factors for diabetes in Fijian women.

Anthropometric Characteristics, Dietary Patterns and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Vietnam

“…Overweight, using a BMI cut-off point of 25 kg/m 2 , as well as central obesity, have been identified as risk factors for diabetes [5,[17][18]. Whereas the BMI level of diabetic subjects in our study was within the normal range, diabetic subjects had higher percentages of body fat and WHR compared with controls.…”

“…Whereas the BMI level of diabetic subjects in our study was within the normal range, diabetic subjects had higher percentages of body fat and WHR compared with controls. Although percent body fat and BMI are correlated [18], a high percent body fat and a high WHR in the context of a normal BMI may be an anthropometric characteristic of diabetes in Vietnam. Our finding supports the WHO expert conclusion that ".…”

“…Also, the proportion of Asian people with risk factors for Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease is substantial even below the existing WHO-BMI cut off point of 25 kg/m 2 " [19]. Moreover, a recent study found that percent body fat was higher in Vietnamese than Japanese people [18]. Additional studies indicate that abdominal fat and percent body fat are increasing in Vietnamese people, especially in females [20 -21].…”

Barriers and Facilitators of Diabetes Self-Management: A Qualitative Study Among Vietnamese Americans

“…For example, Mull et al (2001) postulated that two risk factors that predisposed the Vietnamese to develop diabetes included the adoption of a higher calorie diet and more sedentary lifestyle. Le et al (2003) and Tomisaka et al (2002) suggested that VA were predisposed to diabetes due to the accumulation of abdominal fat and increased percentage of body fat while their BMI level remained within normal range limits. These factors placed Vietnamese individuals at an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes.…”

A Community-based Picture of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Vietnam

“…In addition, percent body fat (BF%) was mentioned as a factor associated with diabetes. Tomisaka et al, found that BF% was associated with the development of diabetes and Vietnamese had a higher percent age of body fat than Japanese (25). In 2001, a case-control study on newly diagnosed cases of diabetes using BIA to determine percent body fat, indicated that Vietnamese with type 2 diabetes had a normal BMI but high percent body fat (26).…”