Exploring the association between circulating trace elements, metabolic risk factors, and the adherence to a Mediterranean diet among children and adolescents with obesity

Abstract

Diet is one of the most important modifiable lifestyle factors for preventing and treating obesity. In this respect, the Mediterranean diet (MD) has proven to be a rich source of a myriad of micronutrients with positive repercussions on human health. Herein, we studied an observational cohort of children and adolescents with obesity (N = 26) to explore the association between circulating blood trace elements and the degree of MD adherence, as assessed through the KIDMED questionnaire. Participants with higher MD adherence showed better glycemic/insulinemic control and a healthier lipid profile, as well as raised plasma levels of selenium, zinc, cobalt, molybdenum, and arsenic, and increased erythroid content of selenium. Interestingly, we found that these MD-related mineral alterations were closely correlated with the characteristic metabolic complications behind childhood obesity, namely hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and dyslipidemia (p < 0.05, |r| > 0.35). These findings highlight the pivotal role that dietary trace elements may play in the pathogenesis of obesity and related disorders.

Metal Homeostasis and Exposure in Distinct Phenotypic Subtypes of Insulin Resistance among Children with Obesity

“…Herein, the evaluation of the food intake questionnaires showed that the frequency of consumption of seafood products (i.e., the main source of arsenic) was significantly lower in participants with delayed insulin response and was in turn positively correlated with blood arsenic levels. This concurs with recent data evidencing a direct association between the adherence to a Mediterranean diet and plasma arsenic levels among children with obesity [ 39 ]. Thus, these results support the rationale that nutritional deficiencies could be, at least in part, responsible for the inverse association between arsenic and IR severity among children and adolescents with obesity.…”

Characteristics of the microstructure and the key components of white kidney bean sourdough bread induced by mixed-strain fermentation and its influence on gut microbiota

“…These results were consistent with other studies that evaluated the anti-obesity effect of diets. [54][55][56][57]…”

Trace elements as potential modulators of puberty‐induced amelioration of oxidative stress and inflammation in childhood obesity

“…In this venue, trace elements are considered pivotal components of redox metabolism, the immune system, and hormone function. [11][12][13] A few authors have previously investigated the association between childhood obesity, metabolic risk factors, and circulating metal concentrations, [14][15][16][17][18] but the impact of puberty on these perturbations remains unexplored. In this work, we studied the influence of hormonal changes during puberty in modulating the oxidative and inflammatory milieu in childhood obesity, with a particular focus on metal metabolism regulation.…”