Secular Trends in Dietary Intake over a 20-Year Period in People with Type 2 Diabetes in Japan: A Comparative Study of Two Nationwide Registries

Background: In order to provide effective dietary guidance, it is necessary to consider dietary intake, which can change over time. This study analyzed changes in the diet of Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes over a 20-year period. Methods: We compared the results of two dietary surveys that used the food frequency questionnaire format. The first was conducted in 1996 by the Japan Diabetes Complications Study (JDCS) (n = 1509
males 53.3%), and the second in 2014–2018 by the Japan Diabetes Clinical Data Management Study (JDDM) (n = 1145
males 65.6%). Both are nationwide representative registries of outpatients with type 2 diabetes in Japan. Results: Over a 20-year period, both men and women with type 2 diabetes had a significant increase in body mass index (BMI). Nonetheless, there was only a small change in energy intake. Conversely, there was a significant increase in fat intake and thus in the fat-to-energy ratio. With regard to food groups, there was a significant increase in meat intake and a decrease in the intake of fish, soybeans/soy products, vegetables, and fruits, with a particularly significant decrease in vegetables. Conclusions: Even in Japan, an industrialized country with a stable socioeconomic environment, there were many significant changes in the dietary intake of patients with type 2 diabetes over the 20-year period.