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The effects of a 2-year physical activity and dietary intervention on plasma lipid concentrations in children: the
Aino-Maija Eloranta1,2, Taisa Sallinen3,4, Anna Viitasalo2
1Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland.
Insights
A lifestyle intervention in children led to a small reduction in LDL cholesterol. This effect was attributed to improved dietary fat quality and increased physical activity, highlighting the impact of healthy habits on children's lipid profiles.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Cardiovascular Health
- Lifestyle Interventions
Background:
- Childhood obesity and dyslipidemia are growing concerns.
- Early lifestyle interventions can establish lifelong healthy habits.
- Understanding the impact of lifestyle on pediatric plasma lipids is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effects of a physical activity and dietary intervention on plasma lipids in children.
- To investigate the contribution of lifestyle changes to the intervention's effects on lipid profiles.
Main Methods:
- A 2-year controlled, non-randomized lifestyle intervention study involving 504 children (aged 6-9 years).
- Intervention group (306 children) received lifestyle guidance; control group (198 children) did not.
- Plasma lipids, dietary intake (food records), and physical activity (sensor-based) were measured.
Main Results:
- Plasma LDL cholesterol significantly decreased in the intervention group compared to the control group.
- The reduction in LDL cholesterol was primarily linked to reduced consumption of high-fat spreads and increased physical activity (moderate-to-vigorous, light, and reduced sedentary time).
- No significant effects were observed on other plasma lipids.
Conclusions:
- A lifestyle intervention can achieve a modest reduction in children's LDL cholesterol.
- Dietary fat quality and quantity, alongside physical activity levels, are key drivers of these lipid changes.
- This study underscores the importance of comprehensive lifestyle modifications for pediatric cardiovascular health.
Purpose:
We studied the effects of a physical activity and dietary intervention on plasma lipids in a general population of children. We also investigated how lifestyle changes contributed to the intervention effects.
Methods:
We carried out a 2-year controlled, non-randomized lifestyle intervention study among 504 mainly prepubertal children aged 6-9 years at baseline. We assigned 306 children to the intervention group and 198 children to the control group. We assessed plasma concentrations of total, LDL, HDL, and VLDL cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL triglycerides, and VLDL triglycerides. We evaluated the consumption of foods using 4-day food records and physical activity using a movement and heart rate sensor. We analyzed data using linear mixed-effect models adjusted for age at baseline, sex, and pubertal stage at both time points. Furthermore, specific lifestyle variables were entered in these models.
Results:
Plasma LDL cholesterol decreased in the intervention group but did not change in the control group ( - 0.05 vs. 0.00 mmol/L, regression coefficient (β) = - 0.0385, p = 0.040 for group*time interaction). This effect was mainly explained by the changes in the consumption of high-fat vegetable oil-based spreads (β = - 0.0203, + 47% change in β) and butter-based spreads (β = - 0.0294, + 30% change in β), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (β = - 0.0268, + 30% change in β), light physical activity (β = - 0.0274, + 29% change in β) and sedentary time (β = - 0.0270, + 30% change in β). The intervention had no effect on other plasma lipids.
Conclusion:
Lifestyle intervention resulted a small decrease in plasma LDL cholesterol concentration in children. The effect was explained by changes in quality and quantity of dietary fat and physical activity.
Clinical Trial Registry Number:
NCT01803776, ClinicalTrials.gov.
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