Study Title
Pasta meal intake in relation to risks of type 2 diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women: findings from the Women’s Health Initiative.
Principal Investigator
Mengna Huang, Kenneth Lo, Jie Li, et al.
Affiliation
Brown University, University of California San Diego, Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
Start Date
October 2020.
End Date
April 2021.
Study Objective
To evaluate the association between pasta meal intake and the long-term risk of developing diabetes or atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), including coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke, in postmenopausal women.
Short Abstract
The study assessed pasta intake and its relationship with diabetes and ASCVD in a cohort of postmenopausal women. It found that higher pasta intake was associated with a reduced risk of stroke and ASCVD but had no significant effect on diabetes risk. Replacing white bread or fried potato with pasta was linked to lower stroke and ASCVD risks.
Study Design
Prospective cohort study using data from the Women’s Health Initiative.
Population
Postmenopausal women aged 50–79 years who were free of diabetes, ASCVD, and cancer at baseline.
Sample Size
84,555 women.
Inclusion Criteria
Postmenopausal women aged 50–79 years, free of diabetes, ASCVD, and cancer at baseline.
Exclusion Criteria
Participants of the WHI dietary modification trial.
Intervention/Exposure
Pasta meal intake measured through a food frequency questionnaire.
Outcome Measures
Incidence of diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, and ASCVD.
Funding Source
Partially supported by funds donated to Brown University by Barilla and other public funds.
Collaborating Institutions
Brown University, University of California San Diego, Women’s Health Initiative (WHI).
Ethics Approval
Approved by institutional review boards of all participating institutions and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Publication Status
Published in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health, April 2021.
Keywords
Pasta, type 2 diabetes, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, stroke, postmenopausal women.
Data Collection Methods
Validated food frequency questionnaire and Cox proportional hazards models to assess disease risk.
Primary Data Availability
Available through the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI).
Contact Information
Professor Simin Liu, simin_