Abstract
As the obesity epidemic continues to grow inexorably worldwide, the need to develop effective strategies to prevent and control obesity seems crucial. The use of molecular tools can be useful to characterize different obesity phenotypes to provide more precise nutritional recommendations. This study aimed to determine the fatty acid (FA) profile of red blood cell (RBC) membranes, together with the evaluation of their dietary intake and biochemical parameters, of children and adults with obesity. An observational study was carried out on 196 children (113 with normal weight and 83 with obesity) and 91 adults (30 with normal weight and 61 with obesity). Mature RBC membrane phospholipids were analyzed for FA composition by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Dietary habits were evaluated using validated food frequency questionnaires (FFQ). Children with obesity presented higher levels of ω-6 polyunsaturated FAs (mainly linoleic acid, p = 0.01) and lower values of ω-3 FAs (mainly DHA, p < 0.001) compared with adults. Regarding blood biochemical parameters, children with obesity presented lower levels of glucose, LDL cholesterol, and alanine aminotransferase compared with adults with obesity. These lipidomic differences could be considered to provide specific nutritional recommendations for different age groups, based on an adequate fat intake.
Highlights
In the last decades, unhealthy dietary patterns are increasing and affecting the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases in the world
This study aimed to evaluate lipid profile differences in mature red blood cell (RBC) membranes between children and adults with obesity, in relation to their nutrient intake
A total of 83 children with obesity (26 boys and 57 girls) between 6 to 16 years old and a group of 61 adults with obesity (19 males and 42 females) between 19 to 68 years old participated in the study (Table S1 in Supplementary Material)
Summary
Unhealthy dietary patterns are increasing and affecting the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases in the world. Low-fat diets, aimed at reducing caloric intake, have been the most recommended strategy for people with obesity in the past decades [2]. There is not enough evidence from randomized control trials supporting the beneficial effects of low-fat diets over other dietary interventions for long–term weight loss [2]. Recent scientific evidence showed that low-fat diets reduced LDL and HDL cholesterol and increase triglycerides. As a strategy for obesity management, have been proposed including low–carbohydrate diets, high-protein diets, very-low-calorie diets with meal replacements, Mediterranean diet, and diets with intermittent energy restrictions, evidencing that a successful diet to reduce weight must be healthy, balanced and without nutritional deficiencies. Most of them include general dietary recommendations rather than specific dietary plans based on individual metabolism [6]
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