Petersen, K.S.Clifton, P.M.Blanch, N.Keogh, J.B.2018-07-022018-07-022015American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2015; 102(4):771-7790002-91651938-3207http://hdl.handle.net/2440/113203First published online September 9, 2015Background: People with diabetes are at a heightened risk of cardiovascular disease compared with the general population. To our knowledge, randomized controlled trials investigating the effect of improving dietary quality on carotid intima media thickness, a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis and predictor of cardiovascular disease, have not been conducted in populations with diabetes. Objective: We aimed to determine whether increasing fruit (+1 serving; 150 g/d), vegetable (+2 servings; 150 g/d), and dairy (+1 serving; 200–250 g/d) intakes slows 12-mo common carotid artery intima media thickness (CCA IMT) progression, compared with a control group continuing to consume their usual diet, in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Design: A 12-mo randomized controlled trial was conducted. The primary outcome was mean CCA IMT, measured at baseline and 12 mo, with B-mode ultrasound. Participants in the intervention group received counseling from a dietitian at baseline and 1, 3, 6, and 9 mo, and compliance was measured with a food-frequency questionnaire at baseline, 3 mo, and 12 mo. The control group continued consuming their usual diet. Results: In total, 118 participants completed the study. Vegetable (46 g/d; 95% CI: 14, 77 g/d; P < 0.001) and fruit (179 g/d; 95% CI: 119, 239 g/d; P < 0.001) intakes were increased at 3 mo in the intervention group compared with the control group. This increase was not maintained at 12 mo, but intake increased overall in the cohort (fruit, 48 g/d; vegetables, 14 g/d). An increase in dairy consumption was not achieved, but yogurt intake was higher in the intervention group at 3 mo (38 g; 95% CI: 12, 65 g; P < 0.001); this was not maintained at 12 mo. At 12 mo, CCA IMT regressed (mean ± SD: −0.01 ± 0.04 mm; P < 0.001), with a greater effect in the treatment group (mean ± SD: −0.02 ± 0.04 mm compared with −0.004 ± 0.04 mm; P = 0.009). Conclusion: Improving dietary quality in people with well-controlled type 1 and type 2 diabetes may slow CCA IMT progression. This trial was registered at https://www.anzctr.org.au as ACTRN12613000251729.en© 2015 American Society for NutritionCarotid intimamedia thickness; diabetes; dietary quality; fruit; vegetables; dairy; randomized controlled trialJournal article003007075010.3945/ajcn.115.1121512-s2.0-84942870909355733Clifton, P.M. [0000-0002-6411-626X]