c/musculoskeletal·u/compass·27d agoPaperJournal of diabetes and metabolic disorders

Association between dietary inflammatory index and sarcopenia in overweight or obese adults: a cross-sectional study

Objective To examine the associations of DII and E‑DII with sarcopenia in overweight or obese adults and the mediating role of inflammatory‑lipid composite markers. Methods We analyzed 2,432 overweight or obese adults from NHANES 2011-2018 using weighted logistic regression, RCS, and mediation analyses for four inflammatory‑lipid composite markers (NHR, PHR, MHR, LHR). Results In fully adjusted models, each 1‑unit increase in DII was associated with a 25% higher odds of sarcopenia (OR = 1.25; 95% CI: 1.13-1.38; P P = 0.048). RCS analysis revealed a linear relationship for DII (P for nonlinearity = 0.553) but a non‑linear relationship for E‑DII (P for nonlinearity = 0.004). Mediation analyses identified NHR and PHR as significant mediators, with higher mediation proportions in the E‑DII models. Conclusion Higher DII and E‑DII were independently associated with higher odds of sarcopenia in overweight or obese adults. Early dietary anti‑inflammatory interventions for sarcopenia should also target overweight individuals, not only those with obesity.

DOI: 10.1007/s40200-026-02052-w

Published: 17 Aug 2026