Higher dietary insulin load and index are not associated with the risk of metabolic syndrome and obesity in Iranian adults

Background Data about the relation between dietary insulin load (DIL) and dietary insulin index (DII) with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and obesity are scarce. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the association of the insulinemic potential of the diet with MetS and obesity amongst Iranian adults. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted amongst 850 adults aged 20-59 years. Dietary data were collected using a 168-item food frequency questionnaire. DIL was calculated using a standard formula and DII was obtained by dividing DIL by the total energy intake of each participant. The guidelines of the International Diabetes Federation were used to define MetS. General obesity was considered as body mass index >= 30 kg/m(2), and abdominal obesity as waist circumference >= 94 cm for men and >= 80 cm for women. Results Mean DIL and DII values were 101 684 +/- 54 802 and 49.4 +/- 33.4, respectively. The mean age of participants was 44.9 +/- 10.7 years and 36.8%, 28.5% and 48.8% of participants were suffering from MetS, general and abdominal obesity, respectively. In contrast with DIL (P = .73), participants in the last quartile of DII (P = .62) had lower odds of MetS than the first quartile. There were non-significant inverse associations between DIL (P = .91, P = .85) and DII (P = .59, P = .53) with odds of general and abdominal obesity before and after the adjustment of confounders, respectively. Conclusions We did not observe any significant association of DIL and DII with the risk of MetS and obesity amongst the Iranian population. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm the findings of this study.

Automated summary

The study found no significant association between dietary insulin load and dietary insulin index with the risk of MetS and obesity among Iranian adults. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.