Socioeconomic factores and unhealthy behaviors associated with the Dietary Inflammatory Index: ELSA-Brasil study

Dietary components influence inflammation, and eating behaviors are shaped by living conditions, requiring interpretation within broader social and health contexts. The aim of this study is to identify the relationship between socioeconomic conditions and lifestyle habits and the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) in a population of Brazilian workers. Cross-sectional study with data from the ELSA-Brasil (2017-2019). The DII was categorized into tertiles. Multinomial Logistic Regression were used to examine the relationship between DII, and the variables of interest. Adjusted Odd Ratio (OR) estimates and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were obtained. The sample consisted of 9,956 participants, with a mean age of 59.3 (± 8.7) years. Sedentary individuals (OR 3.0; 95% CI 2.7-3.4), men (OR 2.3; 95% CI 2.0-2.5), with intermediate levels of physical activity (OR 1.9; 95% CI 1.6-2.1), smokers (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4-2.0), with age between 40 and 59 years (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4-1.7), individuals with lower average per capita income (OR 1.4; 95% CI 1.2-1.6), and with obesity (OR 1.2; 95% CI 1.1-1.4) were greater chance to have a more inflammatory diet, while moderate drinkers had 20% less chance. The findings demonstrate the influence of social determinants and unhealthy behaviors on the pro-inflammatory dietary pattern.