This paper sought to evaluate the relationship between dietary intake and the risk of developing metabolic syndrome over 9 years of follow-up in 9,514 men and women enrolled in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. The authors found that consumption of a Western dietary pattern featuring meat, fried foods, and diet soda was adversely associated with incident metabolic syndrome (defined by American Heart Association guidelines). This association was adjusted for demographic factors, smoking, physical activity, and energy intake. A further analysis of individual food groups also revealed that meat, fried foods, and diet soda were significantly associated with incident metabolic syndrome even after adjusting for intake of meat, dairy, fruits and vegetables, refined grains, and whole grains. In opposition, dairy intake was found to be protective and no associations were found between incident metabolic syndrome and consumption of a prudent dietary pattern featuring fruits and vegetables, whole grains, refined grains, nuts, and coffee. These prospective findings support the notion that a Western dietary pattern promotes metabolic syndrome incidence, whereas dairy consumption provides some protection.
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