Generated Summary
This document is a supplementary appendix to a study examining the association between changes in diet quality and total and cause-specific mortality. The research employs a prospective cohort study design, analyzing data from the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS) and the Health Professionals’ Follow-up Study (HPFS). The main aim of the study is to explore how alterations in diet quality, as assessed by the Alternate Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI-2010), Alternate Mediterranean Diet, and DASH diet, correlate with changes in mortality rates. The study focuses on different time points, including 8, 12, and 16 years, to understand the long-term impacts of dietary changes. The multivariable model adjusted for various factors, including age, initial diet quality score (quintiles), race (white nonwhite), and family history of myocardial infarction, diabetes, or cancer.
Key Findings & Statistics
- Figure S1 presents linear regression curves illustrating the association between 12-year changes in the AHEI-2010 score and total mortality, with separate analyses for NHS and HPFS. The multivariable hazard ratios were calculated by restricted cubic spline regression.
- Figure S2 illustrates the Hazard Ratio (HR) and 95% Confidence Interval (CI) for cardiovascular disease and cancer mortality per 20-percentile increase in diet quality, using the AHEI-2010, Alternate Mediterranean Diet, and DASH diet. Pooled results from the Nurses’ Health Study and Health Professionals’ Follow-up Study are included.
- Table S2 presents age-adjusted characteristics based on 12-year changes in the Alternate Mediterranean Diet Score, DASH, and the AHEI-2010 components for the Nurses’ Health Study and Health Professionals’ Follow-up Study, showing baseline and change values for various health indicators.
- Table S4 explores 12-Year Changes (1986-1998) in Diet Quality Scores and Risk of Total Mortality in women and men.
- Table S5 evaluates 12-Year Changes (1986-1998) in Diet Quality Scores and Total Mortality, Cardiovascular Disease Mortality, and Cancer Mortality per 20-Percentile of Increase in Each Diet Score.
- Table S6 provides Hazard ratios (95%CI) for different causes of disease incidence and mortality based on a 20-percentile increase in diet quality scores.
- Table S7 presents Hazard Ratios (and 95% Confidence Intervals) for overall mortality, cardiovascular disease mortality, and cancer mortality based on baseline adherence to diet scores and changes in diet 12 years later.
- Table S8 shows 8-year changes (1986-1994) in diet quality scores and total mortality.
- Table S9 examines 16-year changes (1986-2002) in diet quality scores and total mortality.
- Table S10 details changes in diet quality during follow-up (8, 12, and 16 years) and cardiovascular disease mortality, using pooled results from the Nurses’ Health Study and Health Professionals’ Follow-up Study.
- Table S11 focuses on 12-year changes (1986-1998) in AHEI-2010 diet quality score and risk of cancer mortality per 20-percentile of increase after adjusting for mammogram screening and physical checkups.
- Table S12 provides a subgroup analysis examining changes in diet quality score and total mortality per 20-percentile of increase in each score.
- Table S13 shows the 4-year lag analysis for 12-year changes (1986-1998) in the three diet quality scores and risk of total mortality per 20-percentile of increase.
- Table S14 presents 12-year changes (1986-1998) in AHEI-2010 and Alternate Mediterranean Diet scores calculated without alcohol intake and total mortality, cardiovascular disease mortality, and cancer mortality per 20-percentile of increase in each score.
- Table S15 presents 12-Year Changes (1986-1998) in Diet Quality Scores and Total Mortality, Cardiovascular Disease Mortality, and Cancer Mortality per 20-Percentile of Increase in Each Score, with pooled results after adjusting for smoking dose and duration.
Other Important Findings
- The study includes an analysis of how various dietary components, such as vegetables (excluding potatoes), fruit, whole grains, sugar-sweetened beverages, nuts and legumes, and red and processed meat, influence mortality.
- The criteria for scoring each component of the AHEI-2010, Alternate Mediterranean Diet, and DASH diet are detailed, offering a comprehensive overview of the dietary scoring methodologies.
- The appendix highlights the impact of diet on various health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease, cancer incidence, and overall mortality, with analyses adjusted for factors like age, BMI, smoking status, and physical activity.
- The document provides insights into how changes in diet quality, assessed through different scoring systems, correlate with mortality risks.
- It presents data on the associations between diet quality and various health outcomes, offering valuable data for understanding the relationship between diet and health.
Limitations Noted in the Document
- The primary limitation of the document is that it is a supplementary appendix, which means that it does not offer a comprehensive description of the study design, methodology, or results.
- As an appendix, it may not present detailed statistical analyses or discussions of potential biases.
- The appendix is limited by its focus on presenting additional information, with the main study’s findings being presented elsewhere.
- The results and findings should be interpreted in the context of the original study, where more information regarding the limitations of the study design and data analysis can be found.
Conclusion
The supplementary appendix provides detailed insights into how dietary quality changes influence various health outcomes. The consistent focus on the relationship between changes in diet quality and mortality underscores the potential of dietary improvements to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and increase longevity. The study’s reliance on large cohorts, like the Nurses’ Health Study and Health Professionals’ Follow-up Study, bolsters the credibility of the findings, enabling robust statistical analyses. These results highlight the importance of dietary choices and their long-term impact on public health. The study’s findings add to a growing body of evidence supporting dietary interventions for health benefits. Future research can build upon these findings by analyzing the impact of specific dietary components and their interactions with other lifestyle factors. The use of different diet quality scores allows for a comprehensive evaluation of dietary patterns and their health implications. The findings provide valuable insights for those interested in enhancing public health via nutritional interventions. The results underline the essential role of informed dietary choices in mitigating chronic disease risks and promoting overall well-being. The study enhances the growing understanding of the multifaceted relationship between diet and health outcomes.