Effect of dietary calcium intake on weight gain in type 2 diabetic patients following initiation of insulin therapy.

OBJECTIVES

This pilot study analyses weight gain in type 2 diabetic patients at initiation of insulin therapy, according to daily calcium intake.

METHODS

Type 2 diabetic patients consecutively admitted for initiation of insulin therapy were studied between January and March 2004 in a monocenter study. Dietary intake was assessed by a 7-day food history before insulin treatment (initial visit) and 4 to 6 months later (final visit).

RESULTS

Thirty-one patients were studied (18 males and 13 females; mean age 62+/-9 years, with diabetes duration 14+/-10 years). Weight significantly increased between initial and final visits (81.9+/-16.2 vs. 84.8+/-17.8 kg; P=0.0272). Median weight gain was 2.4 kg (IQR: -1.15 to +5.27 kg). Waist circumference increased by 2 cm (IQR: 0 to +4 cm). There was no difference between weight change and tertile of calcium intake adjusted on energy intake. We did not find any correlation between weight change and total calcium intake (Rho=0.186; P=0.3165) or dairy calcium intake (Rho=0191; P=0.3040). Similarly, we did not find any correlation between waist circumference change and total calcium intake (Rho=0.324; P=0.1205) or dairy calcium intake (Rho=0.285; P=0.0755).

CONCLUSION

We found no relation between total or dairy calcium intake and weight change during initiation of insulin therapy in type 2 diabetic patients. Dietary calcium intake does probably not play a major role on insulin-induced body weight gain.