(P19-050-23) Diet Quality and Cardiometabolic Disease in Adults From the Caribbean Coast of Colombia – The Cartagena Cohort Study

Objectives: To investigate the association between diet quality and markers of cardiometabolic disease among adults from the Colombian Caribbean coast.

Methods: Adults from the general population participating in the Cartagena Cohort study (clinicaltrials.gov ID NCT05339048), were included in this preliminary baseline analysis. Food frequency questionnaire data were used to derive the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI 2010; range 0-110, higher=better diet quality), and the Global Diet Quality Score (GDQS; ≥23 associated with a low risk of nutrient inadequacy and NCD-related outcomes). Carotid-wall intima-media thickness (IMT; cut-off point of >0.9mm suggests risk of asymptomatic vascular damage and/or asymptomatic atherosclerosis), and type 2 diabetes mellitus (hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) >6.5%) were the outcomes of interest. The associations between diet quality scores and outcomes were investigated with multivariable logistic regression models adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, education, residence, occupation, income, waist-to-hip ratio, and total energy intake.

Results: 384 adults (mean age 49.3; 63% female) had complete data. The diet quality of the participants was low and suggestive of moderate risk of NCD-related outcomes (mean AHEI score 50.2±10.7; and mean GDQS 18.7±5.9, respectively). 16.8% had IMT indicative of cardiovascular disease, and 5.7% had T2DM. Diet quality was slightly better amongst higher-income subjects. There was no clear evidence of an association between AHEI (highest vs. lowest tertile) and vascular damage/atherosclerosis (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.54; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.23, 1.27), or with T2DM (aOR 1.18; 95% CI 0.31, 4.51). Similarly, GDQS was not associated with either of these outcomes.

Conclusions: Diet quality is generally deficient amongst adults from the Caribbean coast of Colombia, where the prevalence of cardiometabolic alterations is high. We found no evidence that diet quality was associated with cardiometabolic diseases. Other components of diet, lifestyle and environment may modulate cardiovascular and diabetes risk in this population.

Funding Sources: Sistema General de Regalías de Colombia – Fondo de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación