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Document Type

Conference Proceedings

Abstract

Objective: Although dietary fiber supports metabolic health, population-level evidence on its relationship with diabetes in U.S. adults remains limited. This study examined the association between total dietary fiber intake and diabetes risk in a nationally representative sample, hypothesizing that higher fiber intake would be linked to lower odds of diabetes after adjusting for demographic and lifestyle factors. Methods: Data was obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007 -2016 cycles, including adults aged 18-80 years. Total fiber intake (dietary + supplemental) was assessed using two non- consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls and expressed as a percentage of the sex-specific Adequate Intake (AI). Participants were divided into quartiles (Q1-Q4) of total fiber intake, with Q1 being used as the reference. Diabetes status was determined from self-reported physician diagnoses. Survey-weighted logistic regression models estimated adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), accounting for age, sex, BMI, smoking, and alcohol intake to reflect the NHANES sampling design. Results: Higher fiber intake was associated with lower odds of diabetes. Compared with Q1, participants in Q4 had 35% lower odds (OR=0.65; 95%CI0.54–0.78; p<0.001), while Q2–Q3 showed no significant difference. The association was nonlinear, with protection evident only at higher intakes (≥25g/day for women; ≥38g/day for men). Obesity strongly predicted diabetes (OR=4.47; 95%CI3.59–5.57; p< 0.001), and diabetes prevalence increased with age. Conclusion: At high consumption levels, fiber intake was independently associated with lower odds of diabetes, supporting fiber-rich foods as a modifiable strategy to reduce diabetes risk.

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