Nutrition and Diabetes, Cardiovascular and Chronic Kidney Diseases: Findings from 20 Years of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study

CONTEXT: The high prevalence of chronic diseases can be prevented or managed by specific changes in lifestyle patterns of individuals of which dietary factors is emphasized. The objective of this study was to review all findings of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study regarding validity and reliability of food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), evaluating dietary quality and association of dietary factors in relation to diabetes, dysglycemia, cardiovascular (CVD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Related documents were searched through PubMed and Scopus databases, in English language from 2000 to 2017. Finally, 52 relevant documents were eligible for inclusion in this review. RESULTS: The FFQ proved to be an acceptable tool for assessing nutrient and food group intakes and rank individuals accurately according to the levels of their dietary intakes. After 8 years of follow-up, the western dietary pattern (DP) was fairly stable but there was instability of traditional Iranian DP. DPs of over two-thirds of Tehranian populations were not in accordance with the dietary recommendations. Higher dietary scores of variety and healthy DPs were also associated with reduced odds of dysglycemia. The main dietary factor related to increased risk of CVD in our population was western DP. Patterns of amino acid intakes may contribute to the development of CVD. Higher intakes of several micronutrients and macronutrients, DPs and some vegetables decrease the risk of CKD. In conclusion DPs of most Tehranian adults need improvement. CONCLUSIONS: This review showed that higher adherence to healthy food choices was associated with reduced odds of dysglycemia and CVD. Dietary sources of renal-protective nutrients should be encouraged among the general population.