Comparison of hs-CRP in Adult Obesity and Central Obesity in Indonesia Based on Omega-3 Fatty Acids Intake: Indonesian Family Life Survey 5 (IFLS 5) Study

Abstract

Obesity and central obesity are associated with dire conditions, such as metabolic syndrome, in which low-grade inflammation plays a part. C-reactive protein (CRP) is an inflammatory marker found to be elevated in those conditions. Omega-3 fatty acids work against inflammation and lower CRP levels in obese individuals. This study compared high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) in adult obesity and central obesity in Indonesia based on omega-3 fatty acid intake using Indonesian Family Life Survey (IFLS) 5 data. Secondary data from household questionnaires were obtained from the IFLS 5 online database. Data from 3152 subjects were used; 76.65% of the subjects were female, with a mean age of 45.27 ± 15.77 years. Subjects were classified into five modified categories of obesity and central obesity based on body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). Omega-3 fatty acid intake was categorized into “low” and “adequate” based on dietary recommendations from the Mediterranean Diet Foundation (2011). There is a significant difference in hs-CRP based on modified obesity categories (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in hs-CRP between low and adequate omega-3 intake (p > 0.05). These data suggest that hs-CRP is related to overweight, obesity, and central obesity. Meanwhile, omega-3 fatty acids are unrelated to hs-CRP. Further studies are needed to confirm these results.