Association Between Lifestyle and Dietary Habits With C-Reactive Protein and Glucose: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background and Aims: Lifestyle and diet influence chronic disease risk through their impact on systemic inflammation. This research evaluated the association among dietary habits, physical activity, and inflammatory biomarkers, specifically glucose and C-reactive protein (CRP). Methods: This cross-sectional study examined lifestyle, sociodemographic, and nutritional indicators using a structured questionnaire, which was adapted from the WHO STEPwise guideline. A total of 200 participants were included based on their attendance for CRP and glucose assays at two health centers between May and September 2023 in Bangladesh. Results: Among participants with high fiber intake (> 20 g/day), 22% had normal blood glucose levels and 25.5% showed slightly increased CRP values. In contrast, among those with low fiber intake (< 10 g/day), 28% had pre-diabetes, 23.5% had diabetes, and a moderate 56% exhibited moderately increased CRP levels. Besides, participants with higher saturated fat intake (> 10 g/day) showed moderate CRP elevations in 50%, pre-diabetes in 24%, and diabetes in 19.5%, whereas those with lower intake (< 10 g/day) exhibited smaller CRP elevations in 28.5% and normal blood sugar levels in 27.5% of the group. Participants with a habit of rare or once-weekly physical activity had pre-diabetes in 38.5%, diabetes in 27%, and moderate CRP elevations in 57% of their group. On the contrary, those reporting regular physical activity demonstrated lower CRP levels in 20.5% and normal sugar levels in 34.5% of their group. Intake of fruit, vegetables, red meat, seafood, sugary drinks, high-sugar foods, and smoking showed statistically significant associations with inflammatory biomarkers ( Conclusion: The findings highlight associations between diet and physical activity and inflammatory markers, suggesting the necessity for focused public health interventions.