Improving diet quality reduces risk for type 2 diabetesImproving the overall quality of one's diet helps to prevent type 2 diabetes independent of other lifestyle changes according to a study presented at the American Diabetes Association's 74th Scientific Sessions®.The study by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health found that those who improved their diet quality index scores by 10 percent over four years -- by eating more whole grains fruits and vegetables and less sweetened beverages and saturated fats for example -- reduced their risk for type 2 diabetes by about 20 percent compared to those who made no changes to their diets. Dietary quality was measured using the 110-point Alternate Healthy Eating Index 2010.The study also examined whether improved diet was a marker of other lifestyle changes such as weight loss or increased physical activity or if it could independently reduce a person's risk for developing type 2 diabetes.We found that diet was indeed associated with diabetes independent of weight loss and increased physical activity said lead researcher Sylvia Ley PhD a post-doctoral fellow at the Harvard School of Public Health. If you improve other lifestyle factors you reduce your risk for type 2 diabetes even more but improving diet quality alone has significant benefits. This is important because it is often difficult for people to maintain a calorie-restricted diet for a long time. We want them to know if they can improve the overall quality of what they eat -- consume less red meat and sugar-sweetened beverages and more fruits vegetables and whole grains -- they are going to improve their health and reduce their risk for diabetes.The study also showed that it didn't matter how good or poor a person's diet was when they started out she said. Regardless of where participants started improving diet quality was beneficial for all.Story Source:The above story is based on materials provided by American Diabetes Association. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.