Association of food quality index with subclinical inflammation in middle-aged obese men

BACKGROUND: High visceral fat storage unbalance secretion inflammatory peptides, however diet plays an important role-protecting metabolism against chronic diseases inherent to this condition. OBJECTIVE: To assess obese diet quality and find association with inflammatory biomarkers. METHODS: aMED, a Food Quality Index, classified the inflammatory power of 26 obese men’s diet (aged: 48.1±5.1; BMI: 31.1±2.45). Pearson correlation coefficient associated diet quality in tertiles (1st as low, 2nd as average and 3 rd as high quality diet) with inflammatory variables (cytokines and waist circumference). RESULTS: The intake of anti-inflammatory food groups was significantly higher among tertiles (3rd > 2nd > 1st; P < 0.001). Adiponectin was lower in the 2nd tertile than in the 1st (P < 0.05). Whole cereal presented a positive correlation with TNF-alpha (p = 0.049), and a negative correlation with IL–15 (p = 0.002). Fish presented a positive correlation with IL–10 (p = 0.024), Resistin (p = 0.039) and PGE–2 (p = 0.001). These findings pointed to pro and anti-inflammatory responses. CONCLUSIONS: The method may need adjustments when used to assess obese food intake, since they don’t usually meet the daily-recommended intake. Other lifestyles variables should be considered, which may affect the inflammatory status.