Diet and glycosylated haemoglobin in the 1946 British birth cohort

OBJECTIVES: Raised glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA(1c)) concentration is a recognised risk factor for diabetes the incidence of which is rising world-wide. The intake of certain foods has been related to HbA(1c) concentration . The aim of this study was to investigate whether nutrient intake, sourced by these foods, was predictive of raised glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA(1c)) concentration in a British cohort. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The subjects were 495 men and 570 women who were members of the Medical Research Council National Survey of Health and Development, 1946 birth cohort. Diet was assessed from 5-day records in 1982, 1989 and 1999. HbA(1c) was measured in blood samples collected in 1999. Individuals in whom concentration of HbA(1c) was ≥ 6.3% were identified as being “at risk” and their nutrient intake was compared to those whose concentration of HbA(1c) was within the normal range (≤6.2%). RESULTS: Lower intakes of protein, carbohydrate, non-starch polysaccharide, iron, folate, vitamin B(12) and a higher percentage energy from fat in 1989 were significantly predictive of high HbA(1c) status in 1999. In 1999 there were no nutrient intakes that were predictive of HbA(1c) status. Global tests of whether the intakes of energy, carbohydrate, sodium, iron, riboflavin and vitamin B(12) at all three time-points were related to HbA(1c) status in 1999, were significant. CONCLUSION: An increased intake of energy, carbohydrate, sodium, iron, riboflavin and vitamin B(12) over 10 years was predictive of raised HbA(1c) status. Increased energy intake may have resulted in the increase in body weight that is a risk factor for diabetes.