Association of cognitive dietary restraint and disinhibition with prediabetes - Cross-sectional and longitudinal data of a feasibility study in German employees

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the impact of eating behaviour traits on central obesity, prediabetes and associated major dietary food patterns. Design: Assessment of eating behaviour was based on the revised German version of the Three-Eating Factor Questionnaire using cross-sectional and longitudinal data of a feasibility study in employees. Data on lifestyle and nutrition were obtained by validated self-administered questionnaires. Baseline characteristics were analysed by the univariate χ 2 test or the Mann-Whitney test. To quantify correlations linear regression analysis was used. Setting: The Delay of Impaired Glucose Tolerance by a Healthy Lifestyle Trial (DELIGHT), which investigated measures to prevent type 2 diabetes mellitus in 2004-2008. Subjects: Employees (21-64 years, 127 men, 157 women) with elevated waist circumference (men ≥94 cm, women ≥80 cm) of five medium-sized companies in northern Germany. Results: At baseline (T0), BMI but particularly waist circumference showed a strong inverse correlation with flexible control (P < 0·0001) and a positive correlation with disinhibition (P < 0·0001) and rigid control (P = 0·063). Flexible control was also significantly inversely related to fasting plasma glucose (P = 0·040), energy intake (P < 0·0001), intake of meat and meat products (P = 0·0001), and positively associated with intake of fruit and vegetables (P < 0·0001) at baseline (T0). Changes in flexible control within the first year of intervention (T1 v. T0) predicted changes in central obesity (P < 0·0001) and fasting plasma glucose (P = 0·025). Conclusions: DELIGHT shows that flexible control characterizes individuals with a higher dietary quality, a lower waist circumference and a lower glucose level. Enhancing flexible control more than rigid control, and decreasing disinhibition, seems beneficial in terms of central adiposity and glucose levels.