The effects of diet quality and dietary acid load on insulin resistance in overweight children and adolescents

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the association of diet quality (DQ) and dietary acid load (DAL) with insulin resistance (IR) in overweight children and adolescents. Materials and methods: The study was conducted on 135 overweight participants aged 6-17 years. DQ was assessed using the Healthy Eating Index 2015 (HEI-2015) and the HEI-2015-TUBER, revised in accordance with the Turkey Dietary Guidelines (TUBER). Estimation of DAL was made calculating the potential renal acid load (PRAL) and net endogenous acid production (NEAP) scores. Results: The HEI-2015-TUBER score was lower in those with IR than in those without IR (p = 0.021). Higher PRAL and NEAP scores were found in those with IR (p = 0.060 and p = 0.044, respectively). Moreover, a one-unit increase in the HEI-2015-TUBER score and the DAL score was associated with a reduction of 4.2% and a rise of approximately 3% in IR risk, respectively. Conclusions: Healthy eating habits in overweight paediatric groups may help to reduce the IR risk, improving DQ and decreasing DAL.(c) 2021 SEEN y SED. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.