Association between dietary selenium intake and the prevalence of prediabetes in Newfoundland population: a cross-sectional study

IntroductionEmerging evidence highlights the role of selenium (Se) in glucose metabolism through selenoprotein-mediated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways. However, population-specific data remains inconclusive. This study aims to investigate the association between dietary Se intake and pre...

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Main Authors: Shanshan Yu, Hongwei Zhang, Jianling Du, Guang Sun
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Nutrition
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1615462/full
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author Shanshan Yu
Hongwei Zhang
Jianling Du
Guang Sun
author_facet Shanshan Yu
Hongwei Zhang
Jianling Du
Guang Sun
author_sort Shanshan Yu
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionEmerging evidence highlights the role of selenium (Se) in glucose metabolism through selenoprotein-mediated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways. However, population-specific data remains inconclusive. This study aims to investigate the association between dietary Se intake and prediabetes prevalence in Newfoundland, a population characterized by genetic homogeneity and high obesity rates (39.4%).MethodsThis cross-sectional study used data from 2,665 participants in the Complex Diseases in the Newfoundland Population: Environment and Genetics (CODING) study. Prediabetes was defined by the American Diabetes Association criteria for impaired fasting glucose (FPG: 5.6–6.9 mmol/L). Dietary Se intake was assessed using the Willett food frequency questionnaire and expressed as both absolute (μg/d) and body weight-adjusted (μg/kg/d) metrics. Multivariate logistic regression, generalized additive model regression, piecewise regression models, and subgroup stratification were employed to examine the association.ResultsThe study revealed a significant inverse relationship between body weight-adjusted dietary Se intake (μg/kg/d) and prediabetes prevalence in the fully adjusted models, with a non-linear threshold effect observed at 1.42 μg/kg/d. Below this threshold, each 1-unit increase in dietary Se intake (μg/kg/d) reduced prediabetes risk by 69% (OR = 0.31, P < 0.001). However, such an association did not reach statistical significance beyond 1.42 μg/kg/d. Subgroup analyses demonstrated consistent inverse associations across age groups, family history of diabetes, and history of smoking. However, the association was statistically significant in females (OR = 0.10, p < 0.001) but not in males. Absolute dietary Se intake (μg/d) showed no significant correlation with prediabetes after adjustment.DiscussionWeight-adjusted dietary Se intake (μg/kg/d) exhibits an inverse non-linear, threshold-dependent relationship with prediabetes risk in this high-risk population. The findings underscore the critical importance of body weight normalization in assessing Se’s metabolic effects and formulating Se guidelines.
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spelling doaj-art-4cf50569978f46aaba1cfe355dbb4bcd2025-08-26T04:12:50ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nutrition2296-861X2025-08-011210.3389/fnut.2025.16154621615462Association between dietary selenium intake and the prevalence of prediabetes in Newfoundland population: a cross-sectional studyShanshan Yu0Hongwei Zhang1Jianling Du2Guang Sun3Department of Endocrinology, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, ChinaDiscipline of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL, CanadaDepartment of Endocrinology, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, ChinaDiscipline of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL, CanadaIntroductionEmerging evidence highlights the role of selenium (Se) in glucose metabolism through selenoprotein-mediated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways. However, population-specific data remains inconclusive. This study aims to investigate the association between dietary Se intake and prediabetes prevalence in Newfoundland, a population characterized by genetic homogeneity and high obesity rates (39.4%).MethodsThis cross-sectional study used data from 2,665 participants in the Complex Diseases in the Newfoundland Population: Environment and Genetics (CODING) study. Prediabetes was defined by the American Diabetes Association criteria for impaired fasting glucose (FPG: 5.6–6.9 mmol/L). Dietary Se intake was assessed using the Willett food frequency questionnaire and expressed as both absolute (μg/d) and body weight-adjusted (μg/kg/d) metrics. Multivariate logistic regression, generalized additive model regression, piecewise regression models, and subgroup stratification were employed to examine the association.ResultsThe study revealed a significant inverse relationship between body weight-adjusted dietary Se intake (μg/kg/d) and prediabetes prevalence in the fully adjusted models, with a non-linear threshold effect observed at 1.42 μg/kg/d. Below this threshold, each 1-unit increase in dietary Se intake (μg/kg/d) reduced prediabetes risk by 69% (OR = 0.31, P < 0.001). However, such an association did not reach statistical significance beyond 1.42 μg/kg/d. Subgroup analyses demonstrated consistent inverse associations across age groups, family history of diabetes, and history of smoking. However, the association was statistically significant in females (OR = 0.10, p < 0.001) but not in males. Absolute dietary Se intake (μg/d) showed no significant correlation with prediabetes after adjustment.DiscussionWeight-adjusted dietary Se intake (μg/kg/d) exhibits an inverse non-linear, threshold-dependent relationship with prediabetes risk in this high-risk population. The findings underscore the critical importance of body weight normalization in assessing Se’s metabolic effects and formulating Se guidelines.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1615462/fullseleniumprediabetesobesitythreshold effectCODING study
spellingShingle Shanshan Yu
Hongwei Zhang
Jianling Du
Guang Sun
Association between dietary selenium intake and the prevalence of prediabetes in Newfoundland population: a cross-sectional study
Frontiers in Nutrition
selenium
prediabetes
obesity
threshold effect
CODING study
title Association between dietary selenium intake and the prevalence of prediabetes in Newfoundland population: a cross-sectional study
title_full Association between dietary selenium intake and the prevalence of prediabetes in Newfoundland population: a cross-sectional study
title_fullStr Association between dietary selenium intake and the prevalence of prediabetes in Newfoundland population: a cross-sectional study
title_full_unstemmed Association between dietary selenium intake and the prevalence of prediabetes in Newfoundland population: a cross-sectional study
title_short Association between dietary selenium intake and the prevalence of prediabetes in Newfoundland population: a cross-sectional study
title_sort association between dietary selenium intake and the prevalence of prediabetes in newfoundland population a cross sectional study
topic selenium
prediabetes
obesity
threshold effect
CODING study
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1615462/full
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