Abstract
To determine whether diet is associated with obesity-independent insulin resistance, we studied how dietary content and caloric intake relate to insulin resistance in 85 women college students aged 18-22 years. Subjects were weighed daily during the seven-consecutive-day dietary assessment. Insulin resistance was measured using homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) and body composition was determined by dualenergy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Twelve (14%) of the 85 had HOMA-IR of ≤2.5 and consumed more energy, carbohydrates, protein, and fat-specifically, saturated fat-than did those with HOMA-IR of <1.6. In stepwise multiple regression analysis including all nutrients as independent variables, body fat mass, saturated fat, and beta carotene potency (inverse) were significant determinants of HOMA-IR independent of leptin, adiponectin, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. Dairy products and vegetables (inverse) were significant independent predictors of HOMA-IR in multiple regression analysis including all foods as independent variables. Our results suggest that vegetable intake should be increased and saturated fat (dairy product) intake decreased to lower insulin resistance in young women.
