Association of modified Nordic diet with cardiovascular risk factors among type 2 diabetes patients: a cross-sectional study

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the most important causes of mortality. Healthy diets can decrease CVDs and other chronic diseases especially in patients with type 2 diabetes. In this study, we investigate association between adherence to the modified Nordic diet and cardiovascular risk factors among patients with type 2 diabetes. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 339 type 2 diabetic patients. Anthropometric indices, blood pressure, and biochemical tests were evaluated. A validated and reliable semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to assess dietary intake. Nordic diet scores were calculated based on median intakes of six food groups. Body mass index (BMI) was higher among participants who were in the lowest tertile of adherence to the Nordic diet ( =0.006). There was a significant association between socioeconomic status (SES) and adherence to the Nordic diet (