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Cardiovascular disease risk factors in young children in the STRIP baby project
Olli Simell1, Harri Niinikoski1, Jorma Viikari2
1a Departments of Paediatrics , University of Turku , Turku , Finland .
Insights
Early introduction of heart-healthy diets in infants can improve long-term adherence to low-saturated-fat, low-cholesterol eating. This study found no negative impact on children's growth, demonstrating the safety and efficacy of pediatric preventive cardiology nutrition.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Preventive Cardiology
- Dietary Interventions
Background:
- Concerns exist regarding the impact of early low-fat, low-cholesterol diets on child development.
- Preventive cardiology principles are not widely adopted in early childhood due to these concerns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the long-term effects of early nutritional counseling on adherence to a heart-healthy diet.
- To evaluate the impact of such dietary interventions on children's growth and development.
- To determine the effect on serum lipid concentrations in young children.
Main Methods:
- The STRIP-Baby project randomized 1062 infants at 7 months into intervention and control groups.
- Intervention group received counseling for a fat intake of 30% of energy and a 1:1:1 saturated:monounsaturated:polyunsaturated fat ratio.
- Dietary intake, growth, and serum lipids were monitored throughout early childhood.
Main Results:
- Intervention children had lower total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol intake, with higher polyunsaturated fat intake.
- The polyunsaturated to saturated fat ratio (P/S) was higher in the intervention group.
- Serum cholesterol was 3-6% lower in intervention children during the first 3 years, with no observed growth differences.
Conclusions:
- Repeated, individualized counseling for reduced saturated fat intake is effective in young children.
- This dietary approach does not impede children's growth and development.
- Early nutritional interventions in pediatrics can promote lifelong healthy eating habits.
Abstract:
Introducing nutritional principles of preventive cardiology to the care of young children may improve permanently adherence to a low-saturated-fat, low-cholesterol diet later in life. This approach has not been readily adapted because of worries of the possible effects of such a diet on the growth and development of children. In the STRIP baby project, 1062 infants were randomized at 7 months of age into an intervention group (n = 540) or a control group (n = 522). The counselling of the intervention children aimed at a fat intake of 30% of energy after the age of 1 year and to a 1:1:1 ratio in saturated:monounsaturated:polyunsaturated fat intake. Dietary intake, growth and serum lipid concentrations were monitored in the children regularly through the first years of life. The intake of total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol were lower and the intake of polyunsaturated fat and the ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fat (P/S) in the diet were higher in the intervention children than in the controls. During the first 3 years of the trial, the serum cholesterol concentration was 3-6% lower in the intervention children than in the controls (95% CI for the mean difference between groups from -0.27 to-0.12 mmol/L). No differences in the growth of the children were observed between the groups. We conclude that repeated individualized counselling aiming at reduced consumption of saturated fat combined with regular follow-up is effective and does not restrict the growth of children.
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