The dietary inflammatory index is associated with aerobic performance and anthropometric measures of marines

Evidence propose that dietary intake affects physical performance and body composition. The present study aimed to determine the relationship between dietary inflammatory index (DII) with physical function and anthropometric indices in the marine. This cross-sectional study was performed on 300 males aged 18 to 45 years serving in the Navy. A general questionnaire was used to collect demographic data of participants. Also, the anthropometric indices (height, weight, waist circumference, and hip circumference) were measured to calculate a body shape index (ABSI), abdominal volume index (AVI), body adiposity index (BAI), and conicity as new anthropometric indices. Moreover, the 12-min Cooper, sit up, pull up, and push up were used to assess physical performance. Food intake over the past year was assessed using a 147-item food frequency questionnaire, and then the DII score was calculated for each subject. Aerobic performance was assessed using the Cooper test. Also, the repetitions of sit up, pull up and push up in 1 minute were recorded to assess muscular endurance. The present study showed that the increase in DII is directly related to body mass index (BMI) (P=0.04), body fat percentage (P=0.03), and BAI (P=0.010) and inversely related to VO2max (P=0.001). However, after adjusting for the effect of energy intake in regression model, only the association between DII and VO2max was statistically significant (β=-1.69, standard error=0.67, P=0.01). The increase in the dietary inflammatory potential is associated to a higher BMI and body adiposity and a lower aerobic capacity in military personnel. However, the observed relationship between DII and anthropometric indices seems to be influenced by the energy intake. Further well-designed studies with a prospective method are warranted.