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. 2022 Sep 21;8(1):105.
doi: 10.1186/s40795-022-00596-7.

The 2018 World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF)/American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) score and diabetes risk in the Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study (DPPOS)

Marissa M Shams-White  1   2 , Ashley H Tjaden  3 , Sharon L Edelstein  3 , Sarah Bassiouni  4 , Lisa L Kahle  5 , Catherine Kim  6 , Xavier Pi-Sunyer  7 , Karla A Temple  8 , Elizabeth M Venditti  9 , Jill Reedy #  10 , Brandy M Heckman-Stoddard #  10 ; DPP Research Group
Collaborators, Affiliations

The 2018 World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF)/American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) score and diabetes risk in the Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study (DPPOS)

Marissa M Shams-White et al. BMC Nutr. .

Abstract

Background: The 2018 World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) 3rd expert report highlights up-to-date Cancer Prevention Recommendations that may reduce burdens of many chronic diseases, including diabetes. This study examined if following a lifestyle that aligns with the recommendations - assessed via the 2018 WCRF/AICR Score - was associated with lower risk of type 2 diabetes in high-risk adults participating in the Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study (DPPOS).

Methods: The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) randomized adults at high risk for diabetes to receive a lifestyle intervention (ILS), metformin (MET) or a placebo (PLB) (mean: 3.2 years), with additional follow-up in DPPOS for 11 years (mean: 15 years total). 2018 WCRF/AICR Scores included seven components: body weight, physical activity, plant-based foods, fast foods, red and processed meat, sugar-sweetened beverages, and alcohol; the optional breastfeeding component was excluded. Scores ranged 0-7 points (with greater scores indicating greater alignment with the recommendations) and were estimated at years 0, 1, 5, 6, 9, and 15 (N=3,147). Fasting glucose and HbA1c were measured every six months and oral glucose tolerance tests were performed annually. Adjusted Cox proportional hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to examine the association of both Score changes from years 0-1 and time-dependent Score changes on diabetes risk through DPP and year 15.

Results: Scores improved within all groups over 15 years (p<0.001); ILS Scores improved more than MET or PLB Scores after 1 year (p<0.001). For every 1-unit improvement from years 0-1, there was a 31% and 15% lower diabetes risk in ILS (95% CI: 0.56-0.84) and PLB (95% CI: 0.72-0.97) through DPP, and no significant association in MET. Associations were greatest among American Indian participants, followed by non-Hispanic White and Hispanic participants. Score changes from years 0-1 and time-dependent Score changes in ILS and PLB remained associated with lower risk through year 15.

Conclusions: Score improvements were associated with long-term, lower diabetes risk among high-risk adults randomized to ILS and PLB, but not MET. Future research should explore impact of the Score on cancer risk.

Trial registration: Diabetes Prevention Program: NCT00004992 ; Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study: NCT00038727.

Keywords: Alcohol; Diet; Disease prevention; Obesity; Physical activity; Weight.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Changes in DPP and DPPOS participants 2018 WCRF/AICR Scores over time, by treatment group1. AICR, American Institute for Cancer Research; DPP, Diabetes Prevention Program; DPPOS, Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study; WCRF, World Cancer Research Fund. 1Data shown are mean±SEM. The results are unadjusted for covariates. 2018 WCRF/AICR Scores were calculated at years 0, 1, 5, 6, 9, and 15 by the three DPP treatment groups. Triangles = placebo group, circles = Metformin group, squares = intensive lifestyle group
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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