Adherence to anti-inflammatory dietary patterns such as the DASH or Mediterranean diet is associated with lower levels of systemic inflammation (e.g., CRP, IL-6), improved lipid profiles, and more favorable adipokine balance (higher adiponectin, lower leptin) in children and adolescents with overweight or obesity.

When children and teens eat mostly whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, their fat tissue stays healthy and releases helpful hormones that calm inflammation and improve fat metabolism. When they eat lots of processed foods with sugar and bad fats, their fat tissue becomes stressed, releases harmful signals that trigger body-wide inflammation, and disrupts how the body handles sugar and fat, leading to higher levels of inflammatory markers and worse cholesterol levels.