Plasma 16:1n-7 content has a significant relation with abdominal adiposity in obese children. This change in the MUFA profile may be caused by activation of SCD that is not sufficiently suppressed by leptin. Endogenous lipogenesis may be an important factor in the pathogenesis of obesity in children.

Aims:In obesity, fatty acid composition is altered with reduced docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels. Desaturating enzymes, stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD), delta-6 desaturase (D6D) and delta-5 desaturase (D5D) modulate fatty acid composition and are thus associated with the development of metabolic syndrome. The aim of this study was to identify the relationships among DHA content, desaturase indices and the components of metabolic syndrome in childhood obesity. Methods: Thirty-two obese children (27 male, 5 female) aged 12.0 2.6 years (mean SD), with a relative body weight greater than 120% of the standard weight for sex, age and height, were recruited. Fatty acid composition of plasma phospholipids was analyzed by gas chromatography, and the desaturase indices were assessed: SCD (

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Background: The importance of small dense low-density lipoprotein (sdLDL) cholesterol in coronary heart disease has been demonstrated in many studies. Body fat accumulation, especially abdominal adiposity, is one of the important factors modifying the expression of sdLDL in adults. Objective: To determine the prevalence of sdLDL in obese children, and to investigate its relationship with anthropometric and metabolic variables. Subjects: A total of 30 obese children (22 males, 8 females) aged 12.670.6 years (mean7s.e.), who presented to our outpatient clinic with obesity. Methods: LDL peak particle diameter was determined using gel electrophoresis. LDL subclasses were classified into sdLDL (pattern B; diametero25.5 nm) and non-sdLDL (pattern A; diameterX25.5 nm). Anthropometric and metabolic variables were also determined to identify factors modifying LDL particle size. Results: sdLDL was detected in 11 children (40.0%). In children with sdLDL, waist/height ratio was significantly higher (P ¼ 0.0466), and they had significantly higher triglyceride (TG) (P ¼ 0.0035) and lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) levels (P ¼ 0.036). Peak LDL diameter as a continuous variable was significantly correlated with HDLC and TG levels. In multiple regression analysis, body mass index and waist/height ratio were significant determinants of the peak LDL diameter variability. Conclusions: We found a high prevalence of sdLDL in obese children, and a relationship of peak LDL diameter with abdominal fat accumulation, HDLC and TG levels. The presence of sdLDL might be an important risk factor for the metabolic syndrome.

Aims: Plasma fatty acid composition can change with age, reflecting diet and levels of desaturating enzymes such as stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD), delta-6 desaturase (D6D) and delta-5 desaturase (D5D), which contribute to the development of insulin resistance. This study analyzed longitudinal changes in fatty acid composition in Japanese children during early puberty and the association between changes in desaturase indices and changes in body fatness and insulin resistance. Methods: The study included 77 children (38 boys and 39 girls) aged 9.6±0.5 years. Relative weight (RW) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were determined. The fatty acid composition of plasma phospholipids was analyzed by gas chromatography, and the desaturase indices were calculated: SCD

Based on the definition of obesity, POW is the better index of body fatness to assess its individual change for boys during early pubertal period, because the index independent from the change in LBM is supposed to be the appropriate index for obesity in practical use.

Obese children had changes in plasma LCPUFA profile that indicate upregulation of n-6 LCPUFA metabolism, probably caused by activated D6D activity to compensate AA demand. Heterogeneity of AA content in obese children depends on D6D and delta-5-desaturase activity, which may reflect insulin sensitivity.