Developing the Use of the Dietary Inflammatory Index among Children (C-DII)

Through this proposal we offer a literature-derived, population-based dietary inflammatory index (C-DII) developed to characterize children diets on a scale from maximally anti- to pro-inflammatory. Diet is a strong moderator of chronic systemic inflammation. This C-DII will be used as a basis to:• Direct school lunch programs towards foods that will reduce inflammatrion-associated health risks, such as obesity, while maintaining current school lunch program budgetary limitations. Anti-inflammatory diets include more options and thus may entail adding, not taking away, key food ingredients that reduce inflammation. Even a slight modification to a recipe may have a large impact on the inflammatory effects of a food item.• Develop and deliver food products that reduce inflammation. The team will work to identify a few key additional food items such as snack bars that taste great and reduce inflammation.• Help parents and children choose great-tasting, nutrient-dense and affordable foods that reduce obesity and inflammation.Dietary inflammation is at the heart of every major chronic health condition. Through diet, these conditions are completely preventable and reversible. School lunch programs are the largest single place where children obtain food. Addressing dietary inflammation within school cafeterias will create the largest potential impact on kids across our nation.The DII has been proven and documented as successful in adults. This SBIR proposal will modify a heavily researched and proven index for children.