Secular Trends in Dietary Intake over a 20-Year Period in People with Type 2 Diabetes in Japan: A Comparative Study of Two Nationwide Registries; Japan Diabetes Complications Study (JDCS) and Japan Diabetes Clinical Data Management Study (JDDM)

Abstract

Background: In order to provide effective dietary guidance, it is necessary to consider dietary intake, which can change over time. This study analyzed changes in the diet of Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes over a 20-year period. Methods: We compared the results of two dietary surveys that used the food frequency questionnaire format. The first was conducted in 1996 by the Japan Diabetes Complications Study (JDCS) (n = 1509; males 53.3%), and the second in 2014–2018 by the Japan Diabetes Clinical Data Management Study (JDDM) (n = 1145; males 65.6%). Both are nationwide representative registries of outpatients with type 2 diabetes in Japan. Results: Over a 20-year period, both men and women with type 2 diabetes had a significant increase in body mass index (BMI). Nonetheless, there was only a small change in energy intake. Conversely, there was a significant increase in fat intake and thus in the fat-to-energy ratio. With regard to food groups, there was a significant increase in meat intake and a decrease in the intake of fish, soybeans/soy products, vegetables, and fruits, with a particularly significant decrease in vegetables. Conclusions: Even in Japan, an industrialized country with a stable socioeconomic environment, there were many significant changes in the dietary intake of patients with type 2 diabetes over the 20-year period.

Trends of Dietary Intakes and Metabolic Diseases in Japanese Adults: Assessment of National Health Promotion Policy and National Health and Nutrition Survey 1995–2019

“…Although we observed a marked increase in total fat intake in Japan, mostly due to increased plant fat intake, the prevalence of T2DM and the national average HbA1c continue to increase. A recent analysis of two Japanese nationwide diabetes registries noted an increase in fat and meat intake with significant decreases in the intake of fish, soy products, fruits, and vegetables among people with diabetes over a 20-year period [25]. Although Japan is recognized for its seafood diet, our findings concurringly showed that the Japanese population consumed less seafood and more meat in the past two decades.…”

The health effects of soy: A reference guide for health professionals

“…One basis for formulating an intake recommendation is to mimic the intake of regions that have traditionally consumed soyfoods, especially China and Japan, given their long history of consumption. Interestingly, national surveys in China indicate soy intake increased over a recent 40-year period ( 568 ) whereas in Japan, data indicate soy intake decreased, especially in relation to total protein intake ( 45 , 569 ). Despite the increase in China, He et al ( 568 ) reported that <30% of the Chinese population meets the ≥10 g soybeans/1,000 kcal recommendation.…”