Abstract

To strengthen the organization of new national dietary surveys and interventions in childhood, our aim was to study macronutrient intake and blood lipid profile at 6 years of age by comparing results from two earlier population-based cohorts. Subjects were n = 131 and n = 162 in the years 2001–2002 and 2011–2012, respectively. Three-day weighed food records were used to estimate diet and calculate nutrient intake. Total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triacylglycerol were measured in serum and LDL-cholesterol was calculated. The average intake of saturated fatty acids (SFA) and trans FA was lower in 2011–2012 than 2001–2002 (13.3E% vs. 14.7E%, p < 0.001, and 0.8E% vs. 1.4E%, p < 0.001, respectively), replaced by a higher intake of unsaturated fatty acids. Total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were significantly lower in 2011–2012 than 2001–2002 (4.6 vs. 4.4 mmol/L, p = 0.003 and 2.8 vs. 2.5 mmol/L, p < 0.001, respectively). In a multiple linear regression model, one E% increase in SFA intake was related to a 0.03 mmol/L increase in LDL cholesterol (p = 0.04). A lower intake of saturated and trans fatty acids, replaced by unsaturated fatty acids, may have contributed to an improved lipid profile in a healthy 6-year-old population. Biological data for analysis of blood lipids are important in national dietary surveys in healthy children to monitor important health outcomes of interventions.

Highlights

  • A recent global review reported that the saturated fatty acid (SFA) intake of 2–7-yearold children was generally above the recommended maximum values, especially amongEuropean children [1]

  • A systematic review and meta-analysis on the health effects of fatty acid intake in children concluded that reducing SFA intake between 2 and 19 years of age significantly decreased total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, with no evidence of adverse effects [7]

  • We hypothesise that the observed lower intake of SFA and trans fatty acids (TFA) among the 6-year-olds in cohort II may have contributed to the improved lipid profile compared with cohort I

Read more

Summary

Introduction

A recent global review reported that the saturated fatty acid (SFA) intake of 2–7-yearold children was generally above the recommended maximum values, especially amongEuropean children [1]. A recent global review reported that the saturated fatty acid (SFA) intake of 2–7-yearold children was generally above the recommended maximum values, especially among. While the European Food Safety Authority recommends that SFA intake should be “as low as possible”, the upper level of recommended SFA intake for children ranges from 8% of energy (E%) by FAO/WHO to 10E% by the Scientific Advisory. Scarce on the assessment of SFA intake in childhood and the main health outcome associated with SFA, i.e., an unfavourable blood lipid profile. A systematic review and meta-analysis on the health effects of fatty acid intake in children concluded that reducing SFA intake between 2 and 19 years of age significantly decreased total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, with no evidence of adverse effects [7]

Objectives
Methods
Conclusion
Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call