Data
ARIC is a prospective epidemiologic study made up of 15,732
members aged 45e64 years derived from randomly selected
households in four United States communities in North Carolina,
Minnesota, Maryland; and Mississippi.6 ARIC participants were
examined at exam 1 between December 1986 and January 1990
and re-examined every three years thereafter (exams 2e4). Exam 2,
3 and 4 occurred in 1990e92, 1993e95, and 1996e98, respectively.
Annual follow-up occurred yearly by means of telephone interviews
to track health and survival status. The data available for
the present analysis covers follow-up to the 15th annual contact,
and includes food frequency questions on chocolate consumption, a
rich variety of risk-factor variables and sequential assessments of
the incidence of diabetes.