We hope you will join us as Diane Blum presents her research for the Department of Mathematical Sciences Colloquium Series.
Rising HbA1c and the Inconsistent Role of Dietary Fiber: Findings from a Decade of NHANES (2011-2023)
August 27, 1:00 PM, RB 121
Abstract: Glycemic control, measured by HbA1c, is a key indicator of diabetes and cardiovascular health. Focusing on the two modifiable dietary factors of fiber and protein, this project investigates the complex relationship between glycemic control and diet as it shifts over time. HbA1c reflects just 2-3 months of an individual's glycemic control, while a single NHANES cycle, in turn, reflects only a slice of the population at one point in time. Including more cycles, and therefore more participants, enhances the validity of these findings and allows for observation of trends. Using data from over 20,000 U.S. adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2011-2023, this study examined how dietary fiber and protein relate to glycemic control over time.
Results showed that average HbA1c increased significantly across the decade, rising from 5.62% in 2011-2012 to 5.71% in 2021-2023, shifting the population average from the normal range into the prediabetic range. Protein density was not associated with HbA1c in any survey cycle. Fiber showed a more complex pattern, with associations varying across years, suggesting that dietary influences on glycemic control may change over time and warrant further investigation.