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Construct validation of the Dietary Inflammatory Index among African Americans

  • Published:
The journal of nutrition, health & aging

Abstract

Objective

Chronic inflammation is linked to many chronic conditions. One of the strongest modulators of chronic inflammation is diet. The Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) measures dietary inflammatory potential and has been validated previously, but not among African Americans (AAs).

Design

Cross-sectional analysis using baseline data from the Healthy Eating and Active Living in the Spirit (HEALS) intervention study.

Setting

Baseline data collection occurred between 2009 and 2012 in or near Columbia, SC.

Participants

African-American churchgoers.

Measurements

Baseline data collection included c-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 from blood draws, anthropometric measures, and numerous questionnaires. The questionnaires included a food frequency questionnaire which was used for DII calculation. The main analyses were performed using quantile regression.

Results

Subjects in the highest DII quartile (i.e., more pro-inflammatory) were younger, more likely to be married, and had less education and greater BMI. Individuals in DII quartile 4 had statistically significantly greater CRP at the 75th and 90th percentiles of CRP versus those in quartile 1 (i.e., more anti-inflammatory).

Conclusion

Construct validation provides support for using the DII in research among AA populations. Future research should explore avenues to promote more anti-inflammatory diets, with use of the DII, among AA populations to reduce risk of chronic disease.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA

    Michael D. Wirth, N. Shivappa, L. Davis, T. G. Hurley, R. Drayton & J. R. Hébert

  2. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA

    Michael D. Wirth, N. Shivappa, A. Ortaglia, S. N. Blair & J. R. Hébert

  3. Connecting Health Innovations, LLC, Columbia, SC, USA

    Michael D. Wirth, N. Shivappa & J. R. Hébert

  4. Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA

    S. N. Blair

  5. Cancer Prevention and Control Program and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of South Carolina, 915 Greene Street, Room 233, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA

    Michael D. Wirth

Authors
  1. Michael D. Wirth
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  2. N. Shivappa
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  3. L. Davis
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  4. T. G. Hurley
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  5. A. Ortaglia
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  6. R. Drayton
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  7. S. N. Blair
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  8. J. R. Hébert
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael D. Wirth.

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Wirth, M.D., Shivappa, N., Davis, L. et al. Construct validation of the Dietary Inflammatory Index among African Americans. J Nutr Health Aging 21, 487–491 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-016-0775-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-016-0775-1

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