Abstract
High obesity rates in almost all regions of the world prompt an urgent need for effective obesity prevention. Very good scientific evidence from cell culture and rodent studies show that the availability of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and their long-chain polyunsaturated derivatives, namely, arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, influence adipogenesis; for this reason, early life status may influence later obesity risk. The respective PUFA effects could be mediated via their eicosanoid derivatives, their influence on cell membrane properties, the browning of white adipose tissue, changes to the offspring gut microbiome, their influence on developing regulatory circuits, and gene expression during critical periods. Randomized clinical trials and observational studies show divergent findings in humans, with mostly null findings but also the positive and negative effects of an increased n-3 to n-6 PUFA ratio on BMI and fat mass development. Hence, animal study findings cannot be directly extrapolated to humans. Even though the mechanistic data basis for the effects of n-3 PUFA on obesity risk appears promising, no recommendations for humans can be derived at present.
Highlights
The influence of dietary fatty acid (FA) groups and individual FAs on human health has long been recognized [? ]
The authors show that in n-6 mice, the hedonic behavior led to the higher consumption of sucrose solutions at the expense of water consumption, compared to n-3 mice. These findings suggest that the maternal consumption of polyunsaturated FAs (PUFA) can have long-lasting effects on the offspring’s food preferences, which, in combination with the availability of energy-dense palatable food, may induce obesity
The proposed mechanisms and observed relationships are complex, and the question remains open whether lower n-6 LC-PUFA or higher n-3 LC-PUFA levels are of more relevance, and whether the long-term effects may differ with different offspring ages [? ]
Summary
The influence of dietary fatty acid (FA) groups and individual FAs on human health has long been recognized [? ]. Human milk or infant formula provides FAs to the infant This is associated with a decrease in the percentage of ARA and DHA in infant serum phospholipids, while LA and ALA increase [? ]. Most of the fat in infant formula is provided by plant oil supplying essential FAs. Aiming at similar plasma LC-PUFA concentrations and related biological benefits in human milk- and formula-fed infants, infant formulas that are in use nowadays contain DHA from different sources [? Prevention of obesity needs to be prioritized, with the establishment of behavioral changes from early life onward, including better dietary and physical activity behaviors The aim of this narrative review is to report on potential opportunities for influencing anthropometric development and associated obesity risk through modifying the perinatal PUFA and LC-PUFA status
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