Estimated glycemic load (eGL) of mixed meals and its associations with cardiometabolic risk factors among Korean adults: Data from the 2013∼2016 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

This study evaluated the glycemic response of diets using estimated glycemic load (eGL), which had been developed for mixed meals for Korean adults, and examined its associations with cardiometabolic risk factors among Korean adults. Methods: A total of 4, 655 men and 6, 760 women aged 19 years and above were included from the 2013∼2016 Kore a National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. eGL was calculated by each meal (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack) and then summed to give daily total eGL. A multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association. Results: Mean dai y total eGL was 112.6 in men and 99.3 in women. Daily total eGL was positively associated with carbohydrate and fiber intakes, but negatively associated with protein and fat intakes in both men and women (p > 0.05 for all). Daily total eGL showed an inverse association with HDL-cholesterol level in both men and women (p = 0.0036 for men and p = 0.0008 for women). Men in the highest quintile of daily total eGL showed a 66% increased risk of hyperchol esterolemia (OR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.10 ∼ 2.50; p for trend = 0.0447) compared with those in the lowest quintile. Conclusion: These findings suggest that eGL based on carbohydrate, protein, fat and fiber intakes can reflect glycemic response and therefore can be used as an index for dietary planning, nutrition education and in the food industry.