The Relationship between Food Security and Type of Carbohydrate Consumed among Coronary Heart Patients: a Case-Control Study

Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death in many
countries, including Iran. This study aimed to determine the relationship between food
security and type of carbohydrates consumption in coronary heart diseases patients in Amol
city.
Methods: In this case-control study, 180 subjects with coronary heart disease and 370 healthy
controls in the Hospital were enrolled. The anthropometric indices and BMI were measured
and calculated. The FFQ and food security questionnaires were filled. Data were analyzed
using independent T-test, Chi-square test and logistic regression with SPSS (V. 20).
Results: Results showed that more than 80% of subjects in both groups of case and control
had food security. More than 17% of cases and 15% of controls had food insecurity. In all
participants, safe and non-safe food groups, subjects in the second and third quartiles of
complex carbohydrates intakes, had a lower chance of coronary artery disease compared to
the first quartile, although this difference was not significant. Higher intakes of simple
carbohydrates in three groups (all participants, safe and non-safe) increased the chance of
coronary artery disease and this difference was significant between the quartiles. The results
showed that the risk of coronary artery disease in the non-safe food group was more than the
safe food group .The odds ratio in the fourth quarter for simple carbohydrates among all
participants, safe food group and unsafe food group were (OR=8.36, p<0.001), OR=8.33,
p<0.001) and (OR=11.79, p=0.008) respectively.
Conclusion: Current study showed that the highest intakes of complex carbohydrates
inversely associated with coronary artery disease and the highest intakes of simple
carbohydrates increases the risk that is higher in non-safe food group.