Intake of total dietary sugar and fibre is associated with insulin resistance among Danish 8-10- and 14-16-year-old girls but not boys. European Youth Heart Studies i and II

Abstract

Objective To examine the dietary intake of total sugar, added sugar, non-added sugar and starch as well as dietary fibre and glycaemic index (GI) and their respective associations with insulin resistance.Design Mixed linear models were used to study both cross-sectional and prospective associations between carbohydrate components and insulin resistance separately in girls and boys. Diet was assessed by a single 24 h recall interview and insulin resistance was calculated using the homoestasis model assessment (HOMA).Setting The Danish part of the European Youth Heart Studies (EYHS) I and II.Subjects Girls and boys at 8-10 and 14-16 years from EYHS I (n 651) and 8-10-year-olds from baseline followed up 6 years later in EYHS II (n 233).Results Among girls, a difference in dietary total sugar of 43 g/MJ was associated with a 1 sd difference of HOMA and a difference in dietary fibre of 8 g/MJ was associated with a 1 sd difference of HOMA, independent of age, maturity and other confounders (both P = 003). No baseline associations were found among boys and no prospective associations were found in either sex.Conclusions Dietary intake of total sugar may play an adverse role and fibre may play a beneficial role in concurrent insulin resistance among girls but not boys. Sex differences may be due to differences in maturity, physical activity, food patterns and selective reporting behaviours. © 2010 The Authors.