Elnaz Daneshzad - Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Shaghayegh Emami - Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Manijeh Darooghegi Mofrad - Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Science and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR
Sahar Saraf-Bank - Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IR

Background and Aim: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the most causes of mortality. Healthy diets can decrease CVDs and other chronic diseases especially in patients with type 2 diabetes. This study investigates the association of adherence to the modified Nordic diet with cardiovascular risk factors among patients with type 2 diabetes.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 339 type 2 diabetic patients. Anthropometric indices, blood pressure, and biochemical tests were measured. A validated and reliable semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to assess the dietary intakes. Nordic diet score was created based on median intake of six food groups.Results: Body mass index was higher among those who were in the lowest tertile of adherence to Nordic diet (P= 0.006). There was a significant association between socioeconomic status and adherence to the Nordic diet (P< 0.0001). Participants who were in the top category of adherence to the Nordic diet had significantly lower levels of AST (P< 0.0001). There was a significant indirect association between adherence to the Nordic diet with LDL levels (OR= 0.29 95% CI: 0.09, 0.91, P= 0.025), high systolic blood pressure level (OR= 0.35 95% CI= 0.17-0.74, P= 0.015), and risk of obesity (OR= 0.25 95% CI: 0.10, 0.63, P= 0.03).Conclusion: It seems that adherence to the Nordic diet is favorably associated with the prevalence of obesity, LDL level and blood pressure among type 2 diabetic patients. However, more well-designed studies are needed to approve this claim.

Nordic diet, dietary pattern, cardiovascular risk factors, type 2 diabetes, diabetic patient