Dietary Inflammatory Potential and Sociodemographic Correlates Among Adults in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Dietary patterns influence systemic inflammation, which is involved in the pathogenesis of non-communicable diseases. The dietary inflammatory index (DII) quantifies the inflammatory potential of the diet and varies across populations due to cultural and regional eating habits. Limited data exist on the inflammatory potential of diets in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to assess the inflammatory potential of the diet and its association with sociodemographic and lifestyle factors among adults in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study included 256 adults aged 18-50 years residing in Saudi Arabia. Participants were recruited using convenience sampling via social media platforms. Data were collected between November 2024 and August 2025 using a validated Saudi food frequency questionnaire and sociodemographic survey. Energy-adjusted DII (E-DII) scores were calculated using 42 food parameters. Non-parametric tests (Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis) were applied to examine associations between E-DII and sociodemographic variables. Results: Significant differences in E-DII were observed by sex (p < 0.001). Males had higher E-DII scores than females, suggesting more pro-inflammatory diets. Participants with postgraduate education tended to have lower E-DII than participants with only a high school degree, reflecting more anti-inflammatory dietary patterns. However, this trend was not statistically significant (p = 0.06). The mean E-DII was 4.8 ± 1.3, indicating a predominantly pro-inflammatory dietary pattern. No significant differences were found across age, education, income, BMI, marital status, employment, or smoking status. Conclusions: Sex was a key determinant of dietary inflammatory potential. Adults demonstrated overall pro-inflammatory dietary patterns in Saudi Arabia. Public health interventions should target higher risk groups, such as males with a higher risk of non-communicable diseases, to promote anti-inflammatory dietary habits and reduce chronic disease risk in this population.