Study links Western dietary pattern with greater risk for type 2 diabetes in men

About 16 million Americans have type 2 diabetes, which can cause blindness, kidney failure, and heart disease. Now researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health have linked a diet high in consumption of red meat, processed meat, high-fat dairy products and refined grains, combined with obesity and inactivity, with a high risk for type 2 diabetes in men. Frank Hu, co-author and an assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health said, “The implications of the study are straightforward. To substantially decrease the chances of getting type 2 diabetes and developing potentially serious complications like blindness, kidney failure and heart disease, men should change their eating pattern and increase their intake of whole grains, fruits, vegetables and fish. They should also get plenty of exercise and avoid weight gain.” The research was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health and by a Research Award from the American Diabetes Association.