Dietary patterns and glucose intolerance among rural Indian populations

Dietary data obtained by application of uniform methodology in rural diabetes surveys conducted near Delhi, Ahmedabad, Trivandrum and Cuttack (441 normal persons and 142 subjects ascertained as abnormal following oral glucose tolerance test), at Kalpa (30 normal, 14 abnormal) in Himachal Pradesh state, and near Kottayam (3588 normal, 37 abnormal) in Kerala state, were summarised. Average nutrients intake in rural Indians were between 53% and 69% as carbohydrates, 55% and 70% (of total carbohydrates) as complex carbohydrates, 0% and 8% as free sugars, 11% and 16% as proteins, 16% and 46% (of total proteins) as animal proteins, 17% and 32% as fats and, 30% and 54% (of total fats) as animal fats. There were no consistent differences in the total energy intake and, proportions of total or complex carbohydrates, free sugars, total or animal proteins and total or animal fats between subjects with normal and abnormal glucose tolerance. Complex carbohydrates constituted major source of carbohydrates even in those with abnormal glucose tolerance, and there was also evidence to suggest that animal fat was favoured within India too. Of the Indian dietary habits, it is difficult to identify any specific dietary pattern to relate with diabetes. Qualitative and not quantitative nutrients intake alone needs more detailed analysis for their relationship with glucose tolerance.