Global diet quality score (GDQS) favorably affects blood pressure, serum lipids, lipid accumulation product and attenuates inflammation among obese individuals

The Global Diet Quality Score (GDQS) is a recently developed food-based index that evaluates both healthy and unhealthy dietary components and has been linked to non-communicable disease risk. However, limited evidence exists regarding its relationship with metabolic and inflammatory markers among obese individuals. This study aimed to examine the association between GDQS and cardio-metabolic risk factors, lipid accumulation product (LAP), and systemic inflammation in obese adults. In this cross-sectional study, 302 obese participants (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30 kg/m²) aged 18-50 years were recruited. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire, and GDQS was calculated from 25 food groups. Anthropometric indices, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, hemoglobin (Hb) A1c, insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and LAP were measured. Participants were classified into tertiles of GDQS, and differences in metabolic parameters across tertiles were analyzed using analysis of covariance and multinomial regression models, adjusting for potential confounders. Higher GDQS tertiles were associated with significantly lower systolic blood pressure (P = 0.048), total cholesterol, triglycerides (both P < 0.05), hs-CRP (P < 0.001), and LAP (P = 0.026). No significant associations were observed between GDQS and other parameters. Greater adherence to a high-quality diet, as reflected by GDQS, is linked to favorable lipid profiles, reduced inflammation, and lower LAP in obese adults. These findings support the GDQS as a valuable tool for assessing diet quality and highlight the importance of dietary improvement in managing obesity-related metabolic risk.