The association between diet quality and subclinical inflammation among children aged 6–18 years in the Eastern Cape, South Africa

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveThe study aimed to investigate, for the first time, the association between diet quality (food variety and dietary diversity), intakes of anti-inflammatory nutrients and food groups, and subclinical inflammation as assessed by categories of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP).DesignCross-sectional study.SettingResource-poor, rural children in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.SubjectsA sample size formula determined a representative sample of 235. Five schools were purposively selected and cluster sampling used to select 240 participants. Measurements included 24 h recall and dietary diversity questionnaires, anthropometric and biochemical measurements.ResultsThe sample consisted of 50·4 % (n 118) girls and 49·6 % (n 116) boys. No obesity was found, but overweight was prevalent in 4·2 % of the children. The hs-CRP concentration (median (25th, 75th percentile)) of the low, medium and high risk inflammatory categories was 0·6 (0·4, 0·7), 1·6 (1·2, 2·2) and 4·2 (3·4, 6·4) mg/l, respectively. Body composition parameters did not differ between hs-CRP groups. Most of the anti-inflammatory nutrient intakes (dietary Fe, Zn, Mg, vitamin C, folate, linolenic acid, linoleic acid, MUFA and PUFA) differed significantly between the hs-CRP groups, with intakes increasing from low to high hs-CRP groups, with similar results for linolenic acid (P=0·022) intake. No significant relationships between hs-CRP and any of the food groups could be established, but significant relationships were established between hs-CRP levels and the high density of living arrangements and unhygienic ablution facilities.ConclusionsAlthough no link could be established between overnutrition and hs-CRP levels, an association was found between hs-CRP and dietary quality, as well as socio-economic status.