Association of nuts and unhealthy snacks with subclinical atherosclerosis among children and adolescents with overweight and obesity

Abstract

Background The process of atherosclerosis begins early in childhood and usually remains asymptomatic until later in life. Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) as a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis could identify early vascular alterations. Unhealthy snacks consumption is associated with obesity and other CVD risk factors in children and adolescents. The aim of this study is to investigate the association of different snack substitution and cIMT among overweight and obesity children and adolescents. Methods A total of 339 participants aged 6 to 13 years with the body mass index Z score ≥ 1 based on WHO criteria enrolled in this study. We measured food intakes of participants by validate and reliable food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Carotid intima media thickness was measured in the common carotid artery with high-resolution ultrasonography. Results After controlling for confounders, intake of nuts had a negative relationship with cIMT (β = 0.135 mm P value = 0.009). Moreover, participants in the last tertile of nuts intake had 59% lower risk of high cIMT in comparison with those who consumed less than 0.64 serving/wk./1000Kcal of nuts (P for trend = 0.010). Substituted of nuts intake with sweet unhealthy snacks had a negative relationship with cIMT (β = 0.15 mm). There was no other significant association between energy-dense nutrient-poor solid snacks and cIMT. Conclusions Our findings emphasize the impact of nuts consumption as a healthy snack on subclinical stages atherosclerosis. Clinical trial studies could examine the effect of different kinds of nuts consumption on cIMT and complications of CVD risk factors. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12986-019-0350-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2022 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association

“…In overweight and obese children 6 to 13 years of age, greater nut consumption was independently associated with lower carotid IMT (β=0.135 mm; P =0.009). 61…”

Two-Dimensional Speckle Tracking Versus Applanation Tonometry in Evaluation of Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

“…Thus, we were able only to show a significant difference between children with T1DM and healthy controls, but the prognostic value of the obtained results remain unknown. This should be addressed in future studies, and it is especially important to assess whether subclinical atherosclerosis is a significant risk factor for development of cardiovascular diseases [20].…”

Anti-atherosclerotic and cardiovascular protective benefits of Brazilian nuts

“…DF intake has a beneficial role on prevention of atherosclerosis and CHD, since it decreases TC and inflammation, two important factors that modify the development and progression of the disease (29,44). Recently, it was shown that in children and adolescents, the risk of increased carotid IMT was decreased by 59% by the intake of nuts (45).…”

“…Polyphenols also display antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic activities which can rescue cell life, decreasing cell degeneration and death. Their ingestion displays positive impacts on reduction of both morbidity and mortality as well as improvement on life span (30,45). Polyphenols can scavenge free radicals and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, as well as they can reduce platelet activity, decreasing the risk of thrombosis.…”