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Updated: Jul 2, 2025
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Inflammatory index score in children: its relationship with neophobia, dietary quality and anthropometric
Didem Kanısoy1, Seray Kabaran2
1Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Eastern Mediterranean University, T.R. North Cyprus via Mersin 10, Famagusta, Turkey. 20600045@emu.edu.tr.
Insights
This study found that higher Diet Inflammatory Index (DII) scores in children correlate with poorer dietary quality and increased food neophobia. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) improved DII scores and anthropometric measurements.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Nutritional Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Childhood obesity and chronic disease risk are significant public health concerns.
- Dietary patterns play a crucial role in children's health outcomes.
- Assessing dietary quality and inflammatory potential in children is essential for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between the Diet Inflammatory Index (DII) and dietary quality using the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED) in primary school children.
- To examine the relationship between DII scores, food neophobia, and anthropometric measurements.
- To explore the impact of the Mediterranean diet (MD) on DII scores and health indicators in children.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 300 primary school children (3rd-5th grade) in Famagusta, Cyprus.
- Dietary intake data collected to calculate DII scores.
- KIDMED scores, neophobia scores, and anthropometric measurements (height, weight, waist, neck circumference) were assessed.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in anthropometric measurements and BMI were observed based on DII score quartiles (p < 0.05).
- Children with higher DII scores had significantly different anthropometric measurements compared to those in lower quartiles (p < 0.05).
- A significant negative correlation was found between KIDMED scores and DII scores (p < 0.05), and a positive correlation between neophobia and DII scores (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Higher DII scores are associated with poorer dietary quality, increased food neophobia, and less favorable anthropometric measurements in children.
- Adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) is linked to improved DII scores and better anthropometric profiles.
- Promoting the MD in early childhood may enhance anti-inflammatory properties, improve diet quality, and reduce chronic disease risk by positively influencing DII scores.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to examine the correlation between the Diet Inflammatory Index (DII) scores and dietary quality in children, which was measured by the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED), also neophobia scores and anthropometric measurements. This study was conducted in primary schools in Famagusta, Cyprus. A total of 300 children (150 girls, 150 boys) in the 3rd, 4th and 5th grade were included in the study. The frequency of food consumption was measured to calculate the DII scores. Moreover, neophobia and KIDMED scores were obtained. The KIDMED score is a popular tool that is mostly used as a practical scale to assess adherence to the Mediterranean diet among children. Additionally, anthropometric measurements (body weight, height, waist circumference, neck circumference) were collected. Finally, DII scores were compared with KIDMED scores, neophobia scores, and anthropometric measurements. Anthropometric measurements and body mass index (BMI) values were found to be significantly different (p < 0.05) based on the DII scores. Children with DII scores in the 1st quartile had significantly different anthropometric measurements compared to those who had scores in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quartiles (p < 0.05). The DII scores of normal-weight children were higher than those of obese children. A significant negative correlation was observed between KIDMED scores and DII scores of the children (p < 0.05). Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was observed between neophobia scores and DII scores (p < 0.05). Additionally, DII scores were correlated with dietary quality and anthropometric measurements (p < 0.05). The MD enhances the anti-inflammatory properties of the diet; it has clearly demonstrated positive effects on diet quality and anthropometric measurements. Furthermore, the MD is suggested to reduce the risk of chronic diseases as a result of improving DII scores at an early age.
