Diet, diabetes, hypertension and blacks.

The prevalence of non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is increasing in all populations. This increment has been correlated with changes in lifestyle, particularly in eating behavior. Migration studies strongly suggest that NIDDM becomes more common when lifestyle factors interact with genetic susceptibility. Blacks have a higher prevalence of NIDDM than whites. In this study, it is suggested that persistent hyperglycemia mediated through the main carbohydrate of the Western diet-wheat, as white flour and whole wheat-in combination with partial or complete glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency are possible factors for the higher prevalence of NIDDM in blacks.