1. ¹Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Division of Health Sciences and Nursing, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Japan
2. ²Department of Food Sciences and Nutrition, Kyoritsu Women's University, Japan
3. ³School of Nutrition & Dietetics, Faculty of Health & Social Work, Kanagawa University of Human Services, Japan

Correspondence: Y Amano, Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Division of Health Sciences and Nursing, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Bunkyo-Ku Hongo, Japan. E-mail: yk-amano@umin.ac.jp

Guarantor: Y Amano.

Contributors: YA carried out the literature research, designed and implemented the study, interpreted the data, and wrote the paper. KK, JSL, ACT, and MS contributed to the design and interpretation of the study data and the writing of the paper. KM conducted the statistical analysis.

Received 1 November 2003; Revised 11 March 2004; Accepted 30 March 2004; Published online 5 May 2004.

Abstract

Objective: To examine the correlation between dietary glycemic index (GI) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors among subjects who consume white rice as a staple food.

Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted to explore the associations between dietary GI, dietary glycemic load (GL) and dietary intakes, and CVD risk factors. Dietary GI and GL were calculated from a 3-day (including two consecutive weekdays and one holiday) dietary records.

Setting: A weight-reduction program at a municipal health center in Tokyo, Japan.

Subjects: A total of 32 women aged 52.57.2 y participated in the weight-reduction program.

Result: The GI food list made for the current study calculated for 91% of carbohydrate intakes measured. The mean dietary GI was 646, and the mean dietary GL was 15037. Individuals in the highest tertile of GI consumed more carbohydrate, mostly from white rice (P<0.001), and less fat (P<0.01). Individuals in all three groups by tertile of GL showed similar tendencies. In the lowest GI tertile, the highest concentration of HDL-cholesterol and lowest concentration of triacylglycerol and immunoreactive insulin were observed (P<0.01). In the lowest GL tertile, the highest concentration of HDL-cholesterol and the lowest concentration of triacylglycerol were observed (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Calculated dietary GI and GL were positively associated with CVD risk factors among the Japanese women who consumed white rice as a staple food.