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[Children, fat and cardiovascular diseases]
Kim Fleischer Michaelsen1, Jørn Dyerberg, Erling Falk
1Arhus Universitetshospital, Skejby Sygehus, koronar-patologisk forskningsenhed og hjertemedicinsk afdeling B.
Insights
Children
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition and Cardiovascular Health
Background:
- Children typically do not develop atherosclerosis, but may exhibit reversible fatty streaks in the aorta.
- Early life dietary fat intake impacts blood lipids and vascular function, with unknown long-term consequences.
- Saturated fat offers no benefits and is linked to negative health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To inform dietary recommendations for infants and young children regarding fat intake.
- To provide guidance on reducing saturated fat consumption from 12 months of age.
Main Methods:
- Review of current nutritional guidelines and scientific literature on early life fat intake.
- Analysis of the impact of dietary fat on pediatric blood lipids and vascular health.
Main Results:
- Dietary fat influences blood lipids and vascular function in early childhood.
- Saturated fat intake should be limited to 10% of energy from 12 months onwards.
- Semi-skimmed milk is recommended over full-cream milk after 12 months.
Conclusions:
- Reducing saturated fat intake in children from 12 months is advisable.
- Adequate fat intake, with added fats, is crucial during the first year for growth.
- Dietary fat management in early life is important for potential long-term cardiovascular health.
Abstract:
Children do not normally develop atherosclerosis. However, they do develop fatty streaks in the aorta. These are reversible. During the first years of life dietary fat has an influence on blood lipids, and other traditional risk factors influence vascular function, but the consequences are unknown. As saturated fat has no positive effects, the Danish Nutrition Council recommends that the intake of saturated fat is reduced to 10 energy per cent from the age of 12 months. This can be accomplished with semi-skimmed milk (1.5% fat) instead of full-cream milk. During the first year of life, it is recommended that a teaspoon of fat is added to each serving of home made mashed food or porridge to prevent the diet from being so hypocaloric that it has a negative effect on growth.