Gert van der Hoek
In Memoriam - Editor, Senior Moderator
Increasing intake of homemade meals may protect against the development of type 2 diabetes, according to a new study recently presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2015 in Orlando, FL.
Study coauthor Geng Zong, PhD, a research fellow at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, MA, and colleagues suggest eating more meals prepared at home may reduce weight gain over time, which they say could explain their findings; excess weight is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
The negative health implications of regularly dining out in restaurants - particularly fast food restaurants - have been well documented.
Earlier this year, for example, Medical News Today reported on a study that found eating out leads to significantlyhigher calorie and salt intake, which may lead to weight gain and high blood pressure - risk factors for diabetes and heart disease.
But despite the associated health risks, it seems more of us are choosing to dine out rather than prepare home-cooked meals. Earlier this year, a report from the US Department of Commerce revealed that, for the first time in history, Americans are spending more money eating out than buying groceries.
"The trend for eating commercially prepared meals in restaurants or as take-out in the United States has increased significantly over the last 50 years," notes Zong. "At the same time, type 2 diabetes rates have also increased."
13% lower type 2 diabetes risk with two homemade meals daily
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Study coauthor Geng Zong, PhD, a research fellow at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, MA, and colleagues suggest eating more meals prepared at home may reduce weight gain over time, which they say could explain their findings; excess weight is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
The negative health implications of regularly dining out in restaurants - particularly fast food restaurants - have been well documented.
Earlier this year, for example, Medical News Today reported on a study that found eating out leads to significantlyhigher calorie and salt intake, which may lead to weight gain and high blood pressure - risk factors for diabetes and heart disease.
But despite the associated health risks, it seems more of us are choosing to dine out rather than prepare home-cooked meals. Earlier this year, a report from the US Department of Commerce revealed that, for the first time in history, Americans are spending more money eating out than buying groceries.
"The trend for eating commercially prepared meals in restaurants or as take-out in the United States has increased significantly over the last 50 years," notes Zong. "At the same time, type 2 diabetes rates have also increased."
13% lower type 2 diabetes risk with two homemade meals daily
MORE: