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Plasma phospholipid fatty acids in obese male and female Mexican children

Leticia Elizondo-Montemayor1, Mónica Serrano-González, Patricia A Ugalde-Casas

  • 1Clinical Research Center, Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Mexico. lelizond@itesm.mx

Annals of Nutrition & Metabolism
|December 15, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Obese Mexican children exhibit altered plasma phospholipid fatty acid profiles, with significant differences observed in males, potentially indicating early cardiovascular risk. These changes may be linked to insulin resistance, warranting further investigation in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Nutritional Biochemistry
  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Cardiovascular Risk Assessment

Background:

  • Childhood obesity is a growing global health concern.
  • Plasma phospholipid fatty acid composition reflects dietary intake and metabolic status.
  • Understanding these profiles in specific populations like Mexican children is crucial for targeted health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze plasma phospholipid fatty acid composition in obese versus normal-weight Mexican children.
  • To identify gender-specific differences in fatty acid profiles among obese children.
  • To explore potential links between fatty acid composition and health risks, including cardiovascular risk and insulin resistance.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study involving 200 children (100 obese, 100 normal-weight) aged 6-12 years.
  • Assessment of anthropometric measures including Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference, triceps skinfold, and body fat percentage.
  • Quantification of plasma phospholipid fatty acids using gas chromatography.

Main Results:

  • Obese children showed higher proportions of specific fatty acids (e.g., 18:0, 16:1n-7, 20:3n-6), saturated fatty acids (SFA), total highly unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs), and total n-3 compared to normal-weight children.
  • Obese children had altered ratios of key fatty acids, including higher 20:3n-6/18:2n-6 and lower n-6/n-3 ratios.
  • Obese boys exhibited distinct differences from obese girls, with higher levels of certain polyunsaturated fatty acids and UFAs, and lower levels of others.

Conclusions:

  • Significant alterations in plasma phospholipid fatty acids are present in obese Mexican children, particularly in males.
  • These compositional changes may predispose obese children to early cardiovascular risk.
  • Insulin resistance could be a contributing factor to the observed fatty acid alterations, highlighting the need for further research in Mexican children.
Abstract

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