title: Nutrient intakes associated with elevated serum C-reactive protein concentrations in normal to underweight breastfeeding women in Northern Kenya.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Low-grade elevation of C-reactive protein (CRP) is a non-specific inflammatory marker, used as a predictor for cardiovascular disease development and chronic inflammatory risks. Research investigating dietary influences on inflammation has focused primarily on the relationship between dietary characteristics, CRP elevation and BMI in the populations at greatest risk for cardiovascular disease, namely those in the overweight and obese ranges, often in clinical settings and/or among those middle aged or older, leaving little information about normal to underweight populations of reproductive age in ecological settings. This study evaluates impacts of dietary nutrients on serum CRP levels in a population of predominantly underweight to normal weight adult women experiencing the additional nutritional demands of lactation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from non-overweight breastfeeding Ariaal women of Kenya collected in 2006 were used (n = 194). Logistic regression models were applied using low-grade CRP elevation (hsCRP > 3 mg/L) as the outcome variable and dietary nutrients, age, BMI, and serum retinol as predictors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Models showed that energy intake (Kcal) and age were positive predictors of CRP elevation while folate intake, total vitamin A intake, and serum retinol concentration were protective against CRP elevation. Unlike previous studies among higher BMI populations, this study found no significant effect of dietary lipids/fatty acids or BMI on CRP elevation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The effects of specific dietary nutrients on inflammatory status may vary with BMI or, in women, reproductive status. Further research should investigate the role of dietary fats, fatty acids, and antioxidant vitamins across populations with a wide range of BMI, including postpartum women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anthropology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.
authors.forename: Masako
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fujita
authors.forename: Eleanor
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Brindle
authors.forename: Yun-Jia
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Lo
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Castro
authors.forename: Felipe
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cameroamortegui
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D004041:Dietary Fats; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D013851:Thinness / Q000378:metabolism*; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D014801:Vitamin A; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D005492:Folic Acid