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Published on: June 4, 2014
Postprandial response of trans fatty acids in prepubertal obese children
E Larqué1, M Gil-Campos, M C Ramírez-Tortosa
1Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
Insights
Childhood obesity may be linked to higher postprandial trans fatty acid levels, despite low overall intake. Obese children show insulin resistance not directly correlated with trans fatty acid consumption or plasma levels.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Nutritional Science
- Obesity Research
Background:
- Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern.
- Trans fatty acids (TFAs) are linked to cardiovascular disease and metabolic dysfunction.
- Understanding TFA metabolism in obese children is crucial for prevention and management strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess trans fatty acid (TFA) intake, plasma concentrations, and postprandial response in prepubertal obese and control children.
- To investigate potential associations between TFA levels and childhood obesity.
- To evaluate insulin resistance in relation to TFA metabolism in this population.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 54 children (34 obese, 20 controls) aged 6-13 years.
- Dietary TFA intake was assessed.
- Plasma TFA levels were measured in fasting conditions and for 3 hours after a standardized 428 kcal breakfast.
- Anthropometric parameters, sex hormones, fasting insulin, and glucose were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Dietary TFA intake was low (<0.4% of total energy) in both groups, with a trend towards higher intake in obese children.
- Fasting plasma TFA concentrations were similar between obese and control children.
- Postprandial TFA levels at 3 hours were significantly higher in obese children compared to baseline and controls, while cis monounsaturated fatty acids were unaffected.
- Obese children exhibited hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, but these were not associated with TFA intake or plasma levels.
Conclusions:
- Southern Spanish children exhibit low trans fatty acid (TFA) intake and plasma concentrations.
- While TFA intake did not differ significantly between obese and control children, postprandial plasma TFA levels were elevated in obese children.
- Insulin resistance is prevalent in obese children but shows no correlation with TFA intake or plasma concentrations in this study.
Objectives:
To evaluate the intake, plasma concentrations and postprandial response of trans fatty acids in obese and control children at prepubertal age in order to detect potential associations with childhood obesity.
Design:
Case-control study, clinical dietary intervention with a 428 kcal standardized breakfast and longitudinal 3 h postprandial follow-up for trans fatty acid plasma levels.
Subjects:
Fifty-four children aged 6-13 years of both sexes, 34 obese (body mass index >97th percentile for age and sex) and 20 non-obese (control group) at prepubertal period (Tanner I).
Measurements:
Various anthropometric parameters and sex hormones, fasting insulin and glucose, estimation of dietary trans fatty acid intake and their plasma quantitation in fasting conditions, and for 3 h following intake of a standardized breakfast.
Results:
Dietary trans fatty acid intake was less than 0.4% of total energy in both groups, with a trend towards higher intake in obese children. Fasting plasma trans fatty acid concentrations and percentages were similar in both groups. However, trans fatty acid levels at +3 h were significantly higher than at 0 h in obese children, but not in controls (obese, 0 h: 2.38+/-0.29; 3 h: 3.62+/-0.45; controls, 0 h: 2.29+/-0.24; 3.14+/-0.49 mg/dl); cis monounsaturated fatty acid concentrations were not significantly affected by the postprandial interval. Obese children exhibited hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance; however, trans fatty acid intake or their plasma levels were not associated with them.
Conclusion:
There is a low intake of trans fatty acids in Southern Spanish children, which is supported by their low concentrations in plasma. No difference in trans fatty acid intake is observed between obese and control children, although plasma levels remain higher in obese than in control children after 3 h of a meal. A marked insulin resistance is seen in obese, but it is not correlated with either trans fatty acid intake or plasma concentration.
