Are the associations between diet and C-reactive protein independent of obesity?
OBJECTIVE
To determine the relative magnitude of the effect of dietary factors on circulating C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, controlling for BMI.


METHODS
1808 men and 2269 women attended the 1994/95 follow-up survey from the Busselton Health Study, Australia. A composite diet score was derived from a short questionnaire. Height and weight were measured.


RESULTS
After controlling for BMI, CRP levels were associated with red meat intake (males only, p=0.001), fruit intake (males p<0.0001, females p=0.029), potato intake (males p=0.008, females p=0.029), using wholemeal bread (males p=0.014, females p=0.018), using polyunsaturated fats as a spread and in cooking (females only, p=0.005), and rarely or never adding salt to food (males p=0.012, females p=0.004). The overall diet score was significantly (negatively) related to CRP in males (p<0.0001) and females (p<0.0001). The relative decrease in CRP from a moderately healthy diet, compared to an unhealthy diet was 37% in men and 24% in women. This was comparable to a difference in BMI of at least 3 kg/m(2) (or a difference in weight of approximately 9 kg for a person of average height).


CONCLUSIONS
A healthy diet and lower weight have independent beneficial effects of similar magnitude on CRP levels.
Hickling
Siobhan
S
School of Population Health, The University of Western Australia, Crawley 6009, Australia. siobhan.hickling@uwa.edu.au
Hung
Joseph
J
Knuiman
Matthew
M
Divitini
Mark
M
Beilby
John
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D004032:Diet; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood*; D012982:Sodium, Dietary; D014675:Vegetables; D055815:Young Adult
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D012982:Sodium, Dietary; D002097:C-Reactive Protein