Higher Fat Intake and Poorer Quality of Life Correlated with Increased Gut Permeability and Systemic Inflammation in Clinical Obesity Patients

Obesity is a multifactorial condition associated with inflammatory processes, intestinal dysbiosis, and impaired quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate food consumption and quality of life in individuals with overweight and obesity, correlating them with inflammatory markers and intestinal permeability. We analyzed 83 patients, divided into three groups: control, overweight, and clinical obesity (CO), according to the new diagnostic criteria. Quality of life was measured using the SF-36 questionnaire, food consumption was assessed using 24-hour dietary recalls, and inflammatory and permeability markers were measured by ELISA and flow cytometry. Individuals with CO had poorer quality of life scores, higher intake of lipids, cholesterol, and saturated fatty acids, and lower consumption of fiber, MUFA, and PUFA. These dietary patterns correlated with higher concentrations of zonulin and inflammatory cytokines (p < 0.05), such as IL-6 and IL-17A, and lower levels of IL-10, IL-4, and IL-2. The findings reinforce the importance of updated diagnostic criteria and highlight the interaction between diet, inflammation, and quality of life in individuals with excess weight.