Association of Dietary Inflammatory Potential with Inflammatory Biomarkers in Brazilian Children: The Role of Obesity Status in the South American Youth/Child Cardiovascular and Environmental (SAYCARE) Study

Abstract

Background:

The objective of this study was to test the association of Pro-Inflammatory/Anti-Inflammatory Food Intake Score (PAIFIS) and inflammatory biomarkers: C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 levels in a sample of Brazilian children.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study included children aged 5–8 years. Levels of inflammatory biomarkers and habitual food intake were measured using a quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to estimate PAIFIS and anthropometric and socioeconomic data. The Mann–Whitney test, Spearman’s correlation test, and nonparametric regression models with Kernel effects were used for analysis.

Results:

PAIFIS showed an association with increased TNF-α in the univariate analysis [β = 0.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.05–1.15] and the multivariate analysis adjusted for the sum of skinfolds (ΣSF) and income (β = 0.31, 95% CI 0.00–1.11). ΣSF was associated with an increase in TNF-α (β = 15.0, 95% CI 3.16–36.1) and CRP (β = 0.013, 95% CI 0.004–0.022).

Conclusions:

The PAIFIS shows a positive association with TNF-α. Adiposity was also identified as an important risk factor for inflammation.