Intake of n-3 LCPUFA and trans-fatty acids is unrelated to development in body mass index and body fat among children
Ren, Xuan; Larsen, Sofus Christian; Lauritzen, Lotte; Rohde, Jeanett Friis; Andersen, Lars Bo; Bugge, Anna; Jensen, Britt Wang; Specht, Ina Olmer; Heitmann, Berit Lilienthal
Peer reviewed, Journal article
Published version
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Date
2022Metadata
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- Institutt for idrett, kosthald og naturfag [1024]
Original version
Ren, X., Larsen, S. C., Lauritzen, L., Rohde, J. F., Andersen, L. B., Bugge, A., . . . Heitmann, B. L. (2022). Intake of n-3 LCPUFA and trans-fatty acids is unrelated to development in body mass index and body fat among children. BMC Nutrition, 8:1. 10.1186/s40795-021-00493-5Abstract
Background
The number of children and adolescents with obesity has increased worldwide. Some studies have found an increase in the intake of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) to be beneficial for weight and obesity status. The objectives of this study were to examine if intake of trans-fatty acids (TFA) and n-3 LCPUFA at school start was associated with weight and body fat development in the following 3 and 7 years, and if substituting other fats for n-3 LCPUFA in regression models influenced weight and body fat development.
Methods
A total of 285 children (boys:130, girls:155) were included in this study. Weight, height and skinfold thickness (SF) of children were measured at age 6, 9 and 13 years by trained research personnel. Multivariate linear regression models were used to investigate the associations between n-3 LCPUFA or TFA intake and subsequent changes in body mass index (BMI) or SF. To investigate substitution effects, we constructed regression models including information on n-3 LCPUFA and all other energy given components of the diet, except for the nutrient to be substituted (all other fats and specific subgroups; saturated fatty acids (SFAs), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and other polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)).
Results
No significant associations were observed between intake of TFA or n-3 LCPUFA and changes in BMI and SF. Also, results from regression analysis showed substituting other fats for n-3 LCPUFA did not associate with BMI or SF development.
Conclusion
The lack of associations between n-3 LCPUFA and TFA and adiposity suggests that fat composition in the diet does not play a major role in obesity development among school-aged children.