Adherence to the Taiwan Daily Food Guide and the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: A Populational Study in Taiwan

This study aims to examine whether adherence to the Taiwan Daily Food Guide relates to the risk of type 2 diabetes. A population-based study was conducted using data from the Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (NAHSIT) 2013–2016. Dietary intakes were assessed using a validated food-frequency questionnaire. Type 2 diabetes was defined as a fasting serum HbA1c level of 6.5% or higher or participants who have received treatment for type 2 diabetes or have reported a physician diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. A total of 2534 Taiwanese adults aged 19 and above were included. We found that the Daily Food Guide adherence was negatively associated with the prevalence of type 2 diabetes. The odds ratios (ORs) for those in the fourth quartile of the recommended total servings was 0.67 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.45–0.99) compared with those in the first quartile. In addition, those who were men (OR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.07–1.98), aged more than 50 to 65 (OR = 6.48, 95% CI = 2.57–16.35), or more than 65 (OR = 6.81, 95% CI = 2.56–18.08), with body mass index (BMI) of 24 to less than 27 (OR = 2.08, 95% CI = 1.55–2.79), had BMI of more than 27 (OR = 3.63, 95% CI = 2.73–4.83), had an education level of junior high and high school (OR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.03–2.74), were divorced, separated, widowed, or refused to answer (OR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.03–1.88) were associated with an increased prevalence of type 2 diabetes. In conclusion, people who adhere better to the Taiwan Daily Food Guide were found to have a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.