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Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
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Dietary phytochemical index and overweight/obesity in children: a cross-sectional study

Omid Eslami1, Mahdi Khoshgoo1, Farzad Shidfar2

  • 1Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

BMC Research Notes
|March 7, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Higher intake of phytochemical-rich foods, measured by the dietary phytochemical index (DPI), was associated with lower odds of overweight and obesity in children. This suggests a protective role for plant-based diets in pediatric weight management.

Area of Science:

  • Nutrition Science
  • Pediatric Health
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Childhood overweight and obesity are significant global health concerns.
  • Dietary patterns play a crucial role in pediatric weight management.
  • Phytochemicals, abundant in plant-based foods, possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between the dietary phytochemical index (DPI) and the prevalence of overweight/obesity in children.
  • To explore the relationship between DPI and intake of key nutrients like fiber, vitamin C, and potassium.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 356 children aged 7-10 years in Tehran, Iran.
  • Dietary intake assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire.
  • Dietary Phytochemical Index (DPI) calculated based on energy from phytochemical-rich foods; overweight/obesity defined by US CDC criteria.

Main Results:

  • The prevalence of overweight/obesity was 35.1% among the study participants.
  • Children in the highest quartile of DPI showed significantly lower odds of being overweight/obese (OR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.25-0.87).
  • Higher DPI quartiles correlated with increased intake of dietary fiber, vitamin C, and potassium.

Conclusions:

  • A higher dietary phytochemical index is associated with a reduced risk of overweight and obesity in children.
  • Encouraging consumption of phytochemical-rich foods may be a beneficial strategy for preventing childhood obesity.
  • Further research into the specific mechanisms linking phytochemicals and weight status in children is warranted.
Abstract

Keywords:
AntioxidantsBody mass indexDietary phytochemicalsOverweightPediatric obesity

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