Spillover Effects of a Family-Based Childhood Weight-Management Intervention on Parental Nutrient Biomarkers and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors

Abstract

Background Parental involvement has been shown to favorably affect childhood weight management interventions, but whether these interventions influence parental diet and cardiometabolic health outcomes is unclear. Objective To evaluate whether a 1-year family-based childhood weight management intervention altered parental nutrient biomarker concentrations and cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRF). Methods Secondary analysis from a randomized-controlled, parallel-arm clinical trial (NCT00851201). Families were recruited from a largely Hispanic population and assigned to either Standard Care (SC; American Academy of Pediatrics overweight/obesity recommendations), or Standard Care + Enhanced Program (SC + EP; targeted diet/physical activity strategies, skill building and monthly support sessions). Nutrient biomarkers (plasma carotenoids and fat-soluble vitamins, RBC fatty acid profiles) and CMRF (BMI, blood pressure, glucose, insulin, lipoprotein profile, inflammatory and endothelial dysfunction markers, adipokines) were measured in archived samples collected from parents of participating children at baseline and end of the 1-year intervention. Results Parents in both groups (SC = 106 and SC + EP = 99) had significant reductions in trans fatty acid (–14%), and increases in MUFA (2%), PUFAn-6 (2%), PUFAn-3 (7%) and beta-carotene (20%) concentrations, indicative of lower partially-hydrogenated fat and higher vegetable oil, fish, and fruit/vegetable intake, respectively. Significant reductions in hsCRP (–21%) TNFα (–19%), IL-6 (–19%) and triglycerides (–6%) were also observed in both groups. An additional significant improvement in serum insulin concentrations (–6%) was observed in the SC + EP parents. However, no major reductions in BMI or blood pressure, and significant unfavorable trajectories in LDL-cholesterol and endothelial dysfunction markers (P-selectin, sICAM, thrombomodulin) were observed. Higher carotenoid, MUFA, PUFA (n-6 and n-3), and lower SFA and trans fatty acid concentrations were associated with improvements in circulating glucose and lipid measures, inflammatory markers, and adipokines. Conclusions The benefits of a family-based childhood weight management intervention can spill over to parents, resulting in apparent healthier dietary shifts that are associated with modest improvements in some CMRF. Lay Summary The benefits of a family-based lifestyle intervention focused on children with overweight and obesity can spill-over to parents, improving diet quality and some cardiometabolic risk factors.

Pentadecanoic Acid (C15:0), an Essential Fatty Acid, Shares Clinically Relevant Cell-Based Activities with Leading Longevity-Enhancing Compounds

“…Consistent with the broad anti-inflammatory effects of C15:0 shown in our current study, daily oral C15:0 supplementation over 12 weeks lowers the proinflammatory cytokines MCP-1, IL-6, and TNFα, as well as IgG, in animal models of metabolic and liver disease [2]. These effects are aligned with inverse associations found between circulating inflammatory markers (i.e., C-reactive protein and adipokines) and C15:0 in humans [30,31,95]. On the lipid front, daily oral C15:0 supplementation for 12 weeks lowers total cholesterol and triglycerides in animal models of metabolic syndrome and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis [2].…”

“…These mechanisms are aligned with the demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, and anticancer activities of C15:0 in vitro and in vivo [2,[25][26][27][28]. They are also consistent with epidemiological studies linking higher circulating C15:0 concentrations to lower cholesterol, triglycerides, ApoA1 and ApoB, liver enzymes, C-reactive protein, adipokines, body mass index; and improved insulin sensitivity and β cell function in humans [29][30][31][32][33][34].…”

“…In addition to slowing the aging rate, and as would be expected of a healthspan and longevity-enhancing nutrient, C15:0 can positively affect routine clinical indices. Specifically, higher circulating C15:0 concentrations are associated with, and show in relevant animal and cellular models to cause lower inflammation, lower total cholesterol and triglyc-erides, lower glucose and improved insulin sensitivity, lower liver enzymes, healthier body weight, and, as mentioned above, higher and healthier hemoglobin levels [2,22,24,27,[29][30][31][32][33]. Consistent with the broad anti-inflammatory effects of C15:0 shown in our current study, daily oral C15:0 supplementation over 12 weeks lowers the proinflammatory cytokines MCP-1, IL-6, and TNFα, as well as IgG, in animal models of metabolic and liver disease [2].…”

Food Is Medicine: A Presidential Advisory From the American Heart Association

“…Previous work has shown that addressing health conditions in children has an outsized impact on behavior changes for the entire family, suggesting that there may be opportunities to promote increased engagement when the entire household is included in the intervention. 94–96…”

“…Previous work has shown that addressing health conditions in children has an outsized impact on behavior changes for the entire family, suggesting that there may be opportunities to promote increased engagement when the entire household is included in the intervention. [94][95][96] A crucial comparative effectiveness question (which also affects intervention cost and cost-effectiveness) is the optimal duration of intervention. An important area remains understudied: If FIM interventions are time limited, what happens when they end?…”