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Diet and blood lipids in 1-4 year-old children

U Hoppu1, E Isolauri, P Koskinen

  • 1Functional Foods Forum, 20014 University of Turku, Turku, Finland.

Nutrition, Metabolism, and Cardiovascular Diseases : NMCD
|November 28, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Maternal dietary counseling did not impact children's blood lipids. However, children's dietary fatty acid intake was linked to blood apolipoproteins, highlighting nutrition's role in cardiovascular health.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Cardiovascular Health
  • Lipid Metabolism

Background:

  • Early nutrition significantly influences children's blood lipid levels, potentially programming long-term cardiovascular health.
  • Maternal dietary habits during pregnancy and breastfeeding are critical factors in early childhood development.
  • Understanding nutritional determinants of lipid profiles in young children is essential for preventative health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the impact of maternal dietary counseling during pregnancy and breastfeeding on children's dietary intake and blood lipid profiles up to age four.
  • To identify specific nutritional factors in children's diets that correlate with their blood lipid and apolipoprotein levels.
  • To evaluate the long-term effects of early nutritional interventions on children's cardiovascular risk markers.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized controlled trial involving pregnant mothers receiving dietary counseling versus a control group.
  • Clinical follow-ups of children at ages 1, 2, and 4 years, including three-day food records.
  • Analysis of blood samples for total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, apolipoproteins A-I and B, and lipoprotein (a).

Main Results:

  • Maternal dietary counseling did not significantly alter children's blood lipid values.
  • Children's diets generally exceeded recommended saturated fatty acid intake and were low in polyunsaturated fatty acids.
  • Children's intake of monounsaturated fatty acids correlated positively with apolipoprotein A-I, and polyunsaturated fatty acids correlated negatively with apolipoprotein B.

Conclusions:

  • Children's dietary fatty acid composition, rather than maternal dietary counseling, was associated with blood apolipoprotein levels.
  • Specific fatty acid intakes in children's diets are linked to markers of cardiovascular health.
  • Further research into targeted dietary interventions for children is warranted to optimize lipid profiles.
Abstract

Keywords:
ApolipoproteinChildrenCholesterolNutrition

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