Dietary intake and blood lipid profile in overweight and obese schoolchildren

Abstract

BackgroundThe high blood lipid levels and obesity are one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, and the atherosclerotic process begins in childhood. Some environmental factors are supposed to be involved in this relationship, such as dietary factors. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between dietary intake and blood lipids levels in overweight and obese schoolchildren.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study with 147 overweight and obese schoolchildren in Botucatu city, Brazil. The anthropometric measurements (body weight, height, body mass index, waist circumference and skinfolds), pubertal staging evaluation and biochemical tests were taken in all children. Three 24h-recall were applied in order to estimate the dietary intake and its relationship with blood lipid levels. The Student t test and multiple linear regression analysis were used for statistical analysis. Statistical significance was assessed at the level of 0.05. The data were processed in SAS software (version 9.1.3; SAS Institute).ResultsAt this study, 63% of children were obese (body mass index higher than 95th percentile) and 80% showed high body fat percentage. The percentage of children with abnormal total cholesterol and triglycerides was 12% and 10%, respectively, and 28% presented at least one abnormal lipid levels. The average values of anthropometric measurements were higher in children with elevated lipid levels. Total cholesterol levels were positively related to full-fat dairy products and triglycerides levels to saturated fat percentage.ConclusionsSaturated fat was positively associated with elevated lipid levels in overweight and obese schoolchildren. These results reinforce the importance of healthy dietary habits since childhood in order to reduce the risks of cardiovascular diseases in adulthood.

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

“…However, all the three studies reported only simple correlations without adjustment for potential confounders and had quality scores ranging from 2 to 4. In the remaining studies, including four higher-quality studies, no significant associations were observed ( 22 , 25 , 27 , 29 , 30 , 37 , 39 – 42 , 44 , 45 , 49 , 55 , 56 , 60 , 63 , 65 , 69 , 72 , 74 , 76 ) .…”

“…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 ) . Most studies examined general population-based samples of children.…”

“…Some studies specifically included high-risk populations, i.e. children with high cholesterol levels ( 43 , 59 , 65 , 72 , 77 , 79 , 80 ) or overweight children ( 31 – 33 , 37 , 38 , 41 , 47 , 57 , 63 , 71 , 76 ) .…”

Fatores de risco cardiovascular e fatores associados em escolares do Município de Belém, Pará, Brasil

“…Ademais, nossos resultados demonstraram associação positiva entre os níveis elevados de TG e dois importantes fatores de risco para doenças cardiovasculares: obesidade e sedentarismo, principalmente entre as crianças (< 10 anos). Este achado foi concordante com os de outros estudos brasileiros 3,28,29 . Altas concentrações de TG contribuem para o seu depósito na parede do vaso e o início do processo de acumulação do LDL-c, que está fortemente associado ao risco de desenvolvimento da aterosclerose 5 .…”

Associação entre excesso de peso e alterações lipídicas em adolescentes

“…Alcantara Neto et al 26 observaram uma influência negativa do consumo baixo e moderado de frutas, leguminosas e cereais, bem como do consumo moderado e alto de alimentos gordurosos e industrializados sobre o estado lipidêmico de crianças e adolescentes. Rinaldi et al 27 , em um estudo com 147 escolares com excesso de peso, também identificaram associação positiva entre o nível de colesterol e derivados do leite ricos em gordura, e entre os níveis de triglicerídeos e o percentual de gordura saturada da dieta.…”