Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the dietary habits of apparently healthy individuals in relation to their irrational beliefs’ status, as well as 10-year diabetes incidence.
Methods: The ATTICA study (2002–2012) is a prospective population-based cohort study, in which 853 participants without a history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) [453 men (aged 45±13 years) and 400 women (aged 44±18 years)] underwent psychological evaluations. Among other tools, participants completed the irrational beliefs inventory (IBI, range 0-88), a brief, self-reported measure consistent with the Ellis model of psychological disturbance. Demographic characteristics, detailed medical history, dietary and other lifestyle habits were also evaluated. Diagnosis of diabetes at follow-up examination was based on the criteria of the American Diabetes Association.
Results: Mean IBI score was 5310 in men and 5111 in women (p=0.68). IBI was positively associated with 10-year type 2 diabetes incidence (Hazard Ratio 1.14; 95%CI 1.04, 1.25) in both men and women, and more prominently among those with lower education status, married, overweight, smokers, with anxiety and depressive symptomatology and unhealthy dietary habits. Especially, participants with increased irrational beliefs and low adherence to the Mediterranean diet were 37% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes compared to those with a reverse status (HR 3.70; 95%CI 2.32, 5.88).
Conclusions: These data support the need to promote a shift towards healthier eating by educating people to recognize false and unhelpful thoughts in order to prevent negative psychological and clinical outcomes, such as mental health disorders and type 2 diabetes.