Associations between dietary intakes and blood cholesterol concentrations at 31 months

Abstract

Objective: The initial stages of atherosclerosis have been shown to occur in children as young as 3. Elevated total and LDL cholesterol concentrations and low HDL concentrations are a well-established risk factor for atherosclerosis. The objective of this study was to investigate the dietary determinants of blood lipid concentrations at 31 months of age. Subjects: A randomly selected group of children (214 boys, 175 girls) in south-west England forming part of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood (ALSPAC) cohort. Design: Three-day dietary records were obtained at 18 months. At 31 months a non-fasting blood sample was taken and analysed for total and HDL cholesterol and triglyceride, and measures of height and weight were taken. Results: Among boys, total cholesterol concentrations were positively associated with the intake of total fat (r 0.209, P 0.002) and saturated fatty acids (r 0.211, P 0.002). Among girls, HDLC was positively associated with energy intake (r 0.204, P 0.018), and negatively associated with intakes of polyunsaturated fat, saturated fat and sugar in multivariate analysis. There were no associations between the intakes of non-starch polysaccharides (®bre) or dietary cholesterol and total or HDL cholesterol concentrations in either sex. Among boys, higher intakes of breakfast cereals were associated with lower total cholesterol (r À0.187, P 0.008). Among girls, higher intakes of biscuits and meat and meat products were associated with higher HDLC concentrations. Conclusions: These data suggest that the dietary determinants of blood lipid concentrations differ between boys and girls. Reducing saturated fat intake in boys would be likely to lead to an improvement in blood lipid pro®les. In this study there is no evidence to suggest that an increase in the intake of polyunsaturated fat by pre-school children would result in improved blood lipid pro®les.

Effects of protein intake on blood pressure, insulin sensitivity and blood lipids in children: a systematic review

“…Most studies included both boys and girls, except for one study in boys only ( 48 ) and one study in girls only ( 42 ) . Most studies were performed in Europe ( 20 – 23 , 29 , 36 , 38 , 40 , 42 , 49 , 50 , 52 , 53 , 57 , 59 , 61 , 64 , 65 , 75 ) , the USA or Canada ( 24 26 27 31 32 34 35 39 51 55 56 58 60 66 69 – 74 76 ) , and Australia or New Zealand ( 25 , 37 , 43 , 46 , 62 ) . Other studies were performed in populations in South or Central America ( 28 , 41 , 63 ) , South Africa ( 54 , 67 , 68 ) , Korea ( 44 ) , Russia ( 45 ) and Turkey ( 47 ) , and one study included subjects from the Philippines, Ghana and three European countries ( 48 ) .…”

Food and nutrient intakes of a population sample of 7‐year‐old children in the south‐west of England in 1999/2000 – what difference does gender make?

“…We have also used this same methodology in the past and have shown significant relationships with biological outcomes. We have found associations between nutrient intakes at 18 and 31 months and haemoglobin, ferritin and blood lipid concentrations (Cowin et al. , 2001a,b).…”

Genetic Variation in FADS Genes and Plasma Cholesterol Levels in 2-Year-Old Infants: KOALA Birth Cohort Study

“…Therefore, the understanding and control of determinants of plasma lipid levels in childhood is of utmost importance. With such aim in mind, several studies have identified significant associations between maternal anthropometric characteristics and lifestyle [6], and children’s characteristics such as gender [7]–[9], anthropometric characteristic [7], [9], early diet [8], [10], [11], and breastfeeding [12], with children’s plasma lipid levels. Genetic determinants appear to be relevant as well.…”