Association of Dietary Phytochemical Index (Dpi) and Risk of Overweight and Obesity in School-Aged Girls in Southeast Iran Publisher Pubmed



Jannati N ; Mahmoodi M R ; Azadbakht L
Source: Scientific Reports Published:2026

Abstract

Childhood overweight and obesity are growing public health concerns worldwide. Among dietary elements, dietary phytochemicals have been suggested to play a role in weight management. We aim to investigate the association between dietary phytochemical index (DPI) and the risk of overweight and obesity in primary school girls in Kerman City, Iran. Three hundred and thirty primary school girls between the ages of 6 and 12 entered this study. We used standard protocols for measuring anthropometric indices. Obesity and overweight were defined according to BMI-for-age Z-Score (BAZ) based on World Health Organization Z-Scores charts for girls aged 5–19 years old. The dietary phytochemical index was calculated using McCarty method. We assessed sociodemographic status and physical activity using valid questionnaires. Participants in higher tertile of DPI have significantly higher intakes of energy (p = 0.003), energy from phytochemical food groups (p < 0.001), fiber (p < 0.001), whole grains (p < 0.001), fruits (p < 0.001), vegetables (p < 0.001), and nuts and seeds (p < 0.001). A higher intake of supplements was associated with a higher DPI (8.5% vs. 3.9%; p = 0.034). Participants in the higher tertile compare with a lower tertile of DPI have significantly higher BAZ (0.47 ± 0.12 vs. 0.01 ± 0.12; p = 0.023). However, a significant direct association was revealed between DPI and overweight (OR 2.05; CI 1.02–4.15, p = 0.037). In conclusion, our findings suggest that a diet high in phytochemicals might be associated with a higher prevalence of overweight in children, but not obesity. © The Author(s) 2026.