Increased adiposity in children with obesity is associated with low red blood cell omega ‐3 fatty acid status and inadequate polyunsaturated fatty acid dietary intake

This study aimed to determine whether dietary long ‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) and LCPUFA status relate to body composition in children with obesity. Children (n = 63, 9.0 ± 0.2 year, BMI Z‐score 3.1 ± 0.2) were divided into tertiles of percentage body fat assessed by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry. Diet was asses sed 3‐days food diaries. Fatty acid proportions in red blood cells (RBC) were measured by gas chromatography. Data stratified by sex and Tanner stages were compared with a MIXED model ANOVA. Associations between RBC fatty acid status and dietary intakes were examined with Spearman correlation. Mod erate correlations were observed between RBC eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) proportions, dietary EPA and DHA (r = 0.39,P <  .05) as well as fish servings (r = 0.33,P <  .05). Dietary LCPUFA did not differ among tertiles. Children in tertile 3 had lower RBC α‐linolenic acid (−40%) and EPA + DHA (−15%) proportions adjusted for age, Tanner stages and race compared with tertile 1. The lower omega‐3 LCPUFA status in children with greater adiposity is con sistent with suboptimal intakes of omega‐3 LCPUFA and fish in the diet.
Source: Pediatric Obesity - Category: Eating Disorders & Weight Management Authors: Tags: ORIGINAL RESEARCH Source Type: research