Healthy Dietary Pattern is Related to Blood Lipids in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-sectional Study from a Developing Country

BACKGROUND: The association between dietary patterns and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors has been investigated in very limited studies in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the major dietary patterns and CVD risk factors in these patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed on 169 females of 18--35 years who were diagnosed with T1DM attending Iranian Diabetes Association in Tehran. Anthropometric measures, blood glucose, and lipid levels of all participants were measured. Dietary data was collected using a food frequency questionnaire. Dietary patterns were determined by factor analysis. Using the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), mean value of the biochemical factors across the tertiles of dietary patterns was compared. RESULTS: Three major dietary patterns were identified: the grain, legume and nut (GLN), the fruits and vegetables (FV), and the high calorie foods, salty snacks, sweet and dessert (HSD). After adjustment for age, body mass index and energy intake, subjects who were in the highest tertile of FV pattern had significantly lower levels of LDL-c (P = 0.01), triglyceride (TG) (P = 0.02), and total cholesterol (P = 0.01). GLN and HSD patterns had no significant relationship with blood glucose and lipids. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that a dietary pattern rich in vegetables and fruits may be inversely associated with dyslipidemia in patients with T1DM. The results can be used for developing interventions that aim to promote healthy eating for the prevention of CVD in these patients.