Associations of the Dietary Inflammatory Index with Sarcopenia among Peri- and Postmenopausal Women: Findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013-2018

Abstract Objective To explore the relationship between the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) and sarcopenia in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods This study included population data from the 2013–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The data were screened and organized based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The included population was divided into four groups (Q1-Q4) from low to high according to the quartile method of the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII). Appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and ASM: BMI was calculated to assess sarcopenia. Multivariate logistic regression models, Model 1 and Model 2, with different adjustment factors were established to evaluate the relationship between the DII and sarcopenia. Results A total of 2019 subjects were included in the study, with an average age of 49.23 ± 5.67 years. ASM: BMI showed a decreasing trend among the DII Q1-Q4 groups, with statistically significant differences between groups (P < 0.001). According to multivariate logistic regression Model 1 and Model 2, higher DIIs were associated with an increased risk of sarcopenia (Model 1: OR = 2.01, 95% CI [1.35, 3.04], P < 0.001; Model 2: OR = 2.29, 95% CI [1.51, 3.53], P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis indicated that the DII had a greater impact on individuals with a BMI < 30 than on those with a BMI ≥ 30, with ORs of 3.24 (95% CI: 1.43–7.33) and 1.85 (95% CI: 1.12–3.04), respectively. Conclusion The prevalence of sarcopenia increases with increasing DII. Diet significantly affects muscle mass in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. A diet with a low DII is effective in reducing the occurrence of sarcopenia, especially in menopausal and nonobese women.