Objective  To analyze the relationship between dietary patterns and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) in adults of Chongqing city and to provide evidences for adopting reasonable dietary patterns to prevent diabetes in the population.

  Methods   Using stratified multistage random cluster sampling, we recruited 19 862 permanent residents aged 30 – 79 years in Chongqing municipality. Face-to-face interviews with a general questionnaire and Food Frequency Questionnaire, physical examination, and laboratory test were conducted among the residents from September 2018 through February 2019. Data process and analysis were performed with SPSS 25.0. Chi-square test was used to assess between group differences. Factor analysis was adopted to distinguish dietary patterns and logistic regression models were used to analyze associations of dietary patterns with IFG.

  Results  Of the residents, 1 496 (7.53%) individuals with IFG were detected. Factor analysis revealed four dietary patterns among the residents, including patterns of egg and milk, animal foodstuff, cereal/potato and vegetable, and pasta and pickles. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, the results of logistic regression analysis showed that in terms of animal foodstuff pattern, the residents with lower scores were at a decreased risk of IFG (odds ratio OR = 0.841, 95% confidence interval 95% CI: 0.716 – 0.989) compared to those with the highest scores; while in regard to pasta and pickles pattern, the residents with the lowest and lower scores were at a decreased risk of IFG (for those with the lowest scores: OR = 0.853 95% CI: 0.730 – 0.998; for those with lower scores: OR = 0.839 95% CI: 0.721 – 0.977) in comparison with those with the highest scores.

  Conclusion  Among 30 – 79 years old residents in Chongqing city, dietary factors are related closely to the prevalence of impaired fasting glucose and the influence of animal foodstuff pattern and pasta and pickles pattern are more significant in the prevention of the disorder.