Association of Dietary Patterns, C-Reactive Protein, and Risk of Obesity Among Children Aged 9–17 Years in Guangzhou, China: A Cross-Sectional Mediation Study

Abstract

Background: Childhood obesity is a major public health challenge in the 21st century, and diet is one of the key modifiable factors in its prevention. This study examined the link between dietary patterns of children and general and central obesity, including the role of C-reactive protein (CRP). Methods: This study enrolled 2413 children aged 9–17. Anthropometric measurements, CRP levels, and dietary data were collected. Factor analysis identified dietary patterns, and logistic regression examined the association between CRP levels and childhood obesity. Multiple linear regression determined the correlation between dietary patterns and CRP. Mediation analysis assessed the role of CRP in the link between dietary patterns and childhood obesity. Results: Three dietary patterns were identified. The rice and meat pattern was significantly correlated to the risk of childhood obesity (OR = 1.166, 95%CI: 1.000, 1.359 for general obesity; OR = 1.215, 95%CI: 1.071, 1.377 for central obesity). CRP was positively correlated with childhood obesity risk (OR = 2.301, 95%CI: 1.776, 2.982 for general obesity; OR = 2.165, 95%CI: 1.738, 2.697 for central obesity). The fruit and vegetable pattern was inversely related to CRP (β= −0.059, 95%CI: −0.081, −0.036), while the snack pattern was positively correlated (β= 0.043, 95%CI: 0.020, 0.065). CRP had a suppressive effect on the association between the fruit and vegetable pattern and snack pattern with childhood obesity. Conclusions: This study revealed the rice and meat pattern as a risk factor for childhood obesity, and cross-sectional evidence linked the fruit and vegetable pattern and snack pattern to childhood obesity risk, mediated by CRP.