Associations between nutritional status of micronutrients and the growth, body composition and biomarkers of metabolic risk in Chilean children

Abstract

IntroductionThe associations between micronutrients and obesity and/or chronic diseases are not consistent.MethodsCross‐sectional study of 300, 8–11 y children. The following measurements were obtained: 1) Anthropometry: weight (wt), height (ht), zBMI; 2) Body composition: % body fat; 3) Biomarkers metabolic risk: insulin, glucose, serum lipids, adiponectin, leptin; 4) Micronutrient indicators: hemoglobin (hb), serum ferritin (SF), serum transferrin receptors (TfR), hepcidin, plasma zinc (ZnPl) and serum VD concentrations (25OHD).Results26% of children were overweight and 29% obese. None of the children were anemic or Zn deficient. 4% were Fe deficient and 28% VD deficient. No associations were found between FS or 25OHD and either wt, ht, % fat or metabolic risk indicators. A significant direct association was observed between TfR and Wt (r 0.24), ht (r 0.14), zBMI (r 0.25), % body fat (r 0.22). Significant correlations were found between hepcidin and both wt (r −0.12) and zBMI (r −0.12). ZnPl correlated with % body fat (r 0.12) and insulin (r −0.20). No significant differences in Hb, SF, hepcidin or 25OHD were found between obese (Ob) and non‐obese children. Both TfR and ZnPl were significantly higher in Ob children.ConclusionsVitamin D status is not associated to Ht, % body fat or biomarkers of metabolic risk. Ob children had higher ZnPl and TfR concentrations than N children.Source of funding: FONDECYT research grants 1090252, 1100206 and 1110085.