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Disease Prevention

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DHA improves lipid measures in hyperlipidemic children

Engler MM, Engler MB. Effect of docosahexaenoic acid on lipoprotein subclasses in hyperlipidemic children (the EARLY study.American Journal of Cardiology, 2005;95(7):869-871

To test the hypothesis that a dietary omega-3 fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid, improves the lipoprotein subclass profile of children who have hyperlipidemia, we conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Children who had hyperlipidemia (n = 20) were stabilized on a low-fat diet for 6 weeks and then randomized to receive 1.2 g/day of docosahexaenoic acid for 6 weeks or placebo.

Supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid significantly increased low-density lipoprotein subclass 1 and high-density lipoprotein subclass 2 (large and buoyant; less atherogenic particles) by 91% and 14%, respectively, compared with the placebo phase.

Low-density lipoprotein subclass 3 (small and dense; more atherogenic particles) decreased by 48%.

Diabetes (both types) in pregnancy and essential fatty acids; implications for insulin resistance and diabetes risk in offspring

Min Y, Lowy C, Ghebremeskel K, et al. Unfavorable effect of type 1 and type 2 diabetes on maternal and fetal essential fatty acid status: a potential marker of fetal insulin resistance. Am J Clinical Nutrition, 2005; 82 (6):1162-1168.

Background:
Pregestational maternal diabetes increases obesity and diabetes risks in the offspring. Both conditions are characterized by insulin resistance, and diabetes is associated with low membrane arachidonic (AA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids.

Objective:
We investigated whether type 1 and type 2 diabetes in pregnancy compromise maternal and fetal membrane essential fatty acids (FAs).

Design:
We studied 39 nondiabetic (control subjects), 32 type 1 diabetic, and 17 type 2 diabetic pregnant women and the infants they delivered. Maternal and cord blood samples were obtained at midgestation and at delivery, respectively. Plasma triacylglycerols and choline phosphoglycerides and red blood cell (RBC) choline and ethanolamine phosphoglyceride FAs were assessed.

Results:
The difference in maternal plasma triacylglycerol FAs between groups was not significant. However, the type 1 diabetes group had lower plasma choline phosphoglyceride DHA (3.7 ± 0.9%; P < 0.01) than did the control group (5.2 ± 1.6%). Likewise, RBC DHA was lower in the type 1 [choline: 3.4 ± 1.5% (P < 0.01); ethanolamine: 5.9 ± 2.5% (P < 0.05)] and type 2 [choline: 3.5 ± 1.6% (P < 0.05)] diabetes groups than in the control group (choline: 5.5 ± 2.2%; ethanolamine: 7.5 ± 2.5%).

Cord AA and DHA were lower in the plasma (type 1: P < 0.01) and RBC (type 2: P < 0.05) choline phosphoglycerides of the diabetics than of the control subjects, and cord RBC ethanolamine phosphoglycerides were lower in DHA (P < 0.05) in both diabetes groups than in the control group.

Conclusions:
Diabetes (either type) compromises maternal RBC DHA and cord plasma and RBC AA and DHA. The association of these 2 FAs with insulin sensitivity may mean that the current finding explains the higher incidence of insulin resistance and diabetes in the offspring of diabetic women.

Supplementation with cod liver oil in first year of life may reduce risk for type-1 diabetes

Stene LC, Joner G. Norwegian Childhood Diabetes Study Group. Use of cod liver oil during the first year of life is associated with lower risk of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes. Am J Clin Nutr,2003;78:1128-1134.

BACKGROUND: In Norway, cod liver oil is an important source of dietary vitamin D and the long-chain n-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, all of which have biological properties of potential relevance for the prevention of type 1 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: The main objective was to investigate whether the use of dietary cod liver oil or other vitamin D supplements, either by the mother during pregnancy or by the child during the first year of life, is associated with a lower risk of type 1 diabetes among children.

DESIGN: We designed a nationwide case-control study in Norway with 545 cases of childhood-onset type 1 diabetes and 1668 population control subjects. Families were contacted by mail, and they completed a questionnaire on the frequency of use of cod liver oil and other vitamin D supplements and other relevant factors.

RESULTS: Use of cod liver oil in the first year of life was associated with a significantly lower risk of type 1 diabetes (adjusted odds ratio: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.56, 0.99). Use of other vitamin D supplements during the first year of life and maternal use of cod liver oil or other vitamin D supplements during pregnancy were not associated with type 1 diabetes.

CONCLUSION: Cod liver oil may reduce the risk of type 1 diabetes, perhaps through the antiinflammatory effects of long-chain n-3 fatty acids.

PMID: 14668274

Taking cod liver oil early in pregnancy is associated with higher birthweight, healthier life

Olafsdottir AS, Magnusardottir AR, et al. Relationship between dietary intake of cod liver oil in early pregnancy and birthweight. BJOG, 2005; 112(4):424-429.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possible association between birth outcome and marine food and cod liver oil intake of healthy women in early (prior to 15 weeks of gestation) pregnancy.

DESIGN: An observational study.

SETTING: Free-living conditions in a community with traditional fish and cod liver oil consumption.

POPULATION: Four hundred and thirty-five healthy pregnant Icelandic women without antenatal and intrapartum complications.

METHODS: Dietary intake of the women was estimated with a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) covering food intake together with lifestyle factors for the previous three months. Questionnaires were filled out at between 11 and 15 weeks and between 34 and 37 weeks of gestation. The estimated intake of marine food and cod liver oil was compared with birthweight by linear and logistic regression controlling for potential confounding.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Birthweight, cod liver oil intake, lifestyle factors (alcohol, smoking).

RESULTS: Fourteen percent of the study population used liquid cod liver oil in early pregnancy. Regression analysis shows that these women gave birth to heavier babies (P < 0.001), even after adjusting for the length of gestation and other confounding.

CONCLUSIONS: Maternal intake of liquid cod liver oil early in pregnancy was associated with a higher birthweight.
Higher birthweight has been associated with a lower risk of diseases later in life and maternal cod liver oil intake might be one of the means for achieving higher birthweight.

When moms take fish oil, prelimary report shows improvement in babes immune function

Dunstan JA, Mori TA, et al. Maternal fish oil supplementation in pregnancy reduces interleukin-13 levels in cord blood of infants at high risk of atopy. Clin Exp Allergy, 2003;33(4):442-448

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The epidemiological association between higher dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and lower prevalence of asthma, has led to interest in the role of early dietary modification in allergic disease prevention.

In this study we examined the effects of maternal n-3 (PUFA)-rich fish oil supplementation on cord blood (CB) IgE and cytokine levels in neonates at risk of developing allergic disease.

METHODS: In a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 83 atopic pregnant women received either fish oil capsules (n = 40) containing 3.7 g n-3 PUFA/day or placebo capsules (n = 43) from 20 weeks gestation until delivery. CB cytokine levels (IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma) and total IgE levels were measured and compared between the two groups. Fatty acid composition of red cell membranes was analysed by gas chromatography and the relationships among PUFA, cytokine and IgE levels were examined.

RESULTS: Maternal fish oil supplementation resulted in a significant increase in n-3 PUFA levels (P < 0.001) in neonatal erythrocyte membranes.

Neonates whose mothers had fish oil supplementation had significantly lower plasma IL-13 (P < 0.05) compared to the control group. There was also a significant inverse relationship between levels of n-3 PUFA in neonatal cell membranes and plasma IL-13. There was no difference in levels of IgE and the other cytokines measured.

CONCLUSIONS: This study provides preliminary evidence that increasing neonatal n-3 PUFA levels with maternal dietary supplementation can achieve subtle modification of neonatal cytokine levels.

Further assessment of immune function and clinical follow-up of these infants will help determine if there are any significant effects on postnatal immune development and expression of allergic disease.

PMID: 12680858

Cod liver oil taken during pregnancy may reduce risk for type-1 diabetes

Stene LC, Ulriksen J, et al. Use of cod liver oil during pregnancy associated with lower risk of Type I diabetes in the offspring. Diabetologia, 2000;43(9):1093-1098

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: To test whether cod liver oil or vitamin D supplements either taken by the mother during pregnancy or by the child in the first year of life is associated with lower risk of Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus in children.

METHODS: We carried out a population-based case control study in Vest-Agder county of Norway, evaluating the use of supplements by a mailed questionnaire. We received responses from 85 diabetic subjects and 1,071 control subjects. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS: When mothers took cod liver oil during pregnancy their offspring had a lower risk of diabetes. The unadjusted OR was 0.30, 95% CI: (0.12 to 0.75), p = 0.01. This association changed very little and was still significant after adjusting for age, sex, breastfeeding and maternal education. Mothers taking multivitamin supplements during pregnancy [adjusted OR= 1.11, 95% CI: (0.69 to 1.77)], infants taking cod liver oil in the first year of life [adjusted OR = 0.82, 95 % CI: (0.47 to 1.42) and the use of other vitamin D supplements in the first year of life [adjusted OR = 1.27, 95 % CI: (0.70 to 2.31)] was not [corrected] significantly associated with the risk of diabetes.

CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION: We found that cod liver oil taken during pregnancy was associated with reduced risk of Type I diabetes in the offspring. This suggests that vitamin D or the n-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in the cod liver oil, or both, have a protective effect against Type I diabetes.

Fish oil given to children with bronchial asthma reduced symptoms

Nagakura T, Matsuda S, Shichijyo K, et al. Dietary supplementation with fish oil rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in children with bronchial asthma. Eur Respir J, 2000;16:861-865.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have anti-inflammatory effects in vitro, and high dietary levels are associated with a lower incidence of inflammatory diseases. However, only limited effects have been demonstrated in asthma.

The effects of dietary supplementation with fish oil for 10 months in 29 children with bronchial asthma was investigated in a randomized controlled fashion. In order to minimize the effects of environmental inhaled allergens and diet, this study was performed in a long-term treatment hospital.

Subjects received fish oil capsules containing 84 mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 36 mg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or control capsules containing 300 mg olive oil. The daily dosages of EPA and DHA were 17.0-26.8 and 7.3-11.5 mg x kg body weight(-1), respectively.

Asthma symptom scores decreased and responsiveness to acetylcholine decreased in the fish oil group but not in the control group. In addition, plasma EPA levels increased significantly only in the fish oil group (p<0.0088). No significant side-effects were observed.

The present results suggest that dietary supplementation with fish oil rich in the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid is beneficial for children with bronchial asthma in a strictly controlled environment in terms of inhalant allergens and diet.

Maternal consumption of oily fish (but not fish sticks) during pregnancy may reduce child's risk for asthma.

Salam MT, Li YF, Langholz B, and Gilliland FD. Maternal fish consumption during pregnancy and risk of early childhood asthma. J Asthma, 2005; 42(6): 513-518.

aternal fish consumption during pregnancy may affect children's asthma risk by modulating early-life immune development.

Type of fish intake may be important because of differences in fatty acid content.

To test this hypothesis, we conducted a nested case-control study, selecting subjects from the Children's Health Study, a population-based study of school-aged children in southern California.

Cases had physician-diagnosed asthma and controls were asthma-free by age 5 years. Mothers or guardians provided information on fish consumption during pregnancy in telephone interviews. We computed odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) by using conditional logistic regression models that accounted for the sampling.

In children born to mothers with a history of asthma, the OR of asthma was 0.20 (95% CI = 0.06-0.65) when mothers ate oily fish at least monthly during pregnancy compared with no consumption (p(trend) = 0.006).

Maternal oily fish consumption during pregnancy did not benefit children of non-asthmatic mothers.

In contrast, fish stick (a source of trans-fats) consumption during pregnancy increased asthma risk in children (OR = 2.04; 95% CI = 1.18-3.51).

Our results suggest that maternal oily fish intake during pregnancy may protect offspring from asthma; however, eating fish sticks during pregnancy may increase asthma risk in children.

Fish oil supplements help to significantly reduce coughing among children at-risk for asthma, 3 year study

Peat J, Mihrshahi S, et al. Three-year outcomes of dietary fatty acid modification and house dust mite reduction in the Childhood Asthma Prevention Study. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2004;114(4):807-13

BACKGROUND: Two factors thought to influence the risk of asthma are the promoting effect of sensitization to house dust mites and the preventive effect of increased omega-3 fatty acids.

Although house dust mite allergen avoidance has been used as a preventive strategy in several trials, the effect of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in the primary prevention of asthma and allergic disease is not known.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the effects of dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids and house dust mite allergen avoidance in children with a family history of asthma.

METHODS: A total of 616 children at high risk of asthma were enrolled antenatally in a randomized controlled trial, and 526 children remained in the trial at age 3 years. The outcomes were symptoms of allergic disease and allergen sensitization.

RESULTS: There was a significant 10.0% (95% CI, 3.7-16.4) reduction in the prevalence of cough in atopic children in the active diet group ( P=.003; number needed to treat, 10) but a negligible 1.1% (95% CI, -7.1 to 9.5) reduction cough among nonatopic children. There was a 7.2% (95% CI, 10.11-14.3) reduction in sensitization to house dust mite in the active allergen avoidance group ( P=.05; number needed to treat, 14). No significant differences in wheeze were found with either intervention.

CONCLUSION: These results suggest that our interventions, designed to be used in simple public health campaigns, may have a role in preventing the development of allergic sensitization and airways disease in early childhood. This offers the prospect of reducing allergic disease in later life.

Impact of fish oil supplementation on blood lipids in infants

Damsgaard CT, Schack-Nielsen L, Michaelsen KF, et al. Fish Oil Affects Blood Pressure and the Plasma Lipid Profile in Healthy Danish Infants. J Nut.,2006;136:94-99.

Animal and epidemiologic studies indicate that early nutrition has lasting effects on metabolism and cardiovascular disease risk.

In adults, (n-3) long-chain PUFA (LCPUFA) from fish oils improve blood pressure, the lipid profile, and possibly cardiovascular disease mortality.

This randomized trial is the first to investigate the effects of fish oil on blood pressure and the lipid profile in infancy. Healthy term 9-mo old infants (n = 83) were randomly assigned to 5 mL fish oil daily or no fish oil for 3 mo and to 2 different milk types.

Before and after the intervention, blood pressure was measured with an oscillometric device, and blood was sampled for analysis of erythrocyte fatty acid composition and the plasma lipid profile. This paper examines the effects of the fish oil supplement, with adjustment for the effects of the milk intervention when relevant.

The fish oil intervention increased erythrocyte (n-3) LCPUFA content (P < 0.001). At 12 mo, infants administered fish oil had a lower systolic blood pressure [adjusted mean difference (95% CI)] 6.3 mm Hg (0.9, 11.7) (P = 0.02), a 0.51 mmol/L (0.07, 0.95) higher plasma total cholesterol (P = 0.02), and a 0.52 mmol/L (0.02,1.01) higher LDL cholesterol (P = 0.04) than infants not administered fish oil.

Plasma triacylglycerol was inversely associated with the erythrocyte content of eicosapentaenoic acid (r = 0.34, P < 0.01), a biomarker of fish oil dose.

The observed effects of fish oil are in accordance with findings in adults. The long-term health implications warrant further investigation.

Potential role for vitamin D in type 1 diabetes prevention

Harris SS. Vitamin D in Type 1 Diabetes Prevention. J. Nutr.,2005;135:323-325.

Limited data from human observational studies suggest that early supplementation with 10 µg/d (400 IU/d) or less of vitamin D may not reduce the risk for type 1 diabetes but that doses of 50 µg/d (2000 IU/d) and higher may have a strong protective effect.

Current U.S. recommendations (5?25 µg/d, 200-1000 IU/d) fall in the largely unstudied dose range in between.

All infants and children should receive between 5 µg/d and 25 µg/d of supplemental vitamin D, particularly if they have limited sun exposure, live in northern areas, are exclusively breastfed, or are dark skinned.

Caretakers of infants and children at increased risk of type 1 diabetes might wish to consider supplementation toward the upper end of that range or above. Additional studies are needed that 1) investigate the association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and autoantibodies predictive of type 1 diabetes in infancy and beyond, 2) test the ability of vitamin D supplement doses between 5 and 50 µg/d to prevent autoantibodies and/or type 1 diabetes in infancy and beyond, and 3) examine the safety of vitamin D intakes of 25 µg/d and higher.

Also, we need to consider the possible benefits of vitamin D supplementation when deciding whether or not to screen children for type 1 diabetes risk and to add type 1 diabetes to the growing list of outcomes that are considered when vitamin D recommendations are next revised.

Purified fish oil supplements recommended to address omega-3 deficiencies in maternal and pediatric health

Genuis SJ, Schwalfenberg GK. Time for an oil check: the role of essential omega-3 fatty acids in maternal and pediatric health. J Perinatol, 2006;26(6):359-365.

Deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids (omega3FAs) is an often unrecognized determinant of clinical disease; the adequate availability of these essential nutrients may prevent affliction or facilitate health restoration in some pregnant women and developing offspring.

The human organism requires specific nutrients in order to carry out the molecular processes within cells and tissues and it is well established that omega3FAs are essential lipids necessary for various physiological functions.

Accordingly, to achieve optimal health for patients, care givers should be familiar with clinical aspects of nutritional science, including the assessment of nutritional status and judicious use of nutrient supplementation.

In view of the mounting evidence implicating omega3FA deficiency as a determinant of various maternal and pediatric afflictions, physicians should consider recommending purified fish oil supplementation during pregnancy and lactation.

Furthermore, omega3FA supplementation may be indicated in selected pediatric situations to promote optimal health among children.

PMID: 16688204

Review use of omega-3s in pediatric hemangiomas

Sterescu AE, Rousseau-Harsany E, Farrell C, et al. The potential efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids as anti-angiogenic agents in benign vascular tumors of infancy.
Med Hypotheses. 2006;66(6):1121-4.

Hemangiomas of infancy are benign vascular tumors frequently encountered in pediatrics.

Medical treatment (corticosteroids, interferon, chemotherapy, embolization and radiation) in high-risk hemangioma cases could greatly benefit from the addition of new and safer therapies. The rapid growth of hemangiomas during the proliferative phase occurs secondary to a process of local uncontrolled angiogenesis, involving potent mediators such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF).

We hypothesize that omega-3 fatty acids, naturally occurring nutrients of proven health benefit to infants, could become an alternative or an adjuvant treatment for hemangiomas, by slowing down their rapid proliferation phase through anti-angiogenic and anti-tumoral effects. Suggested mechanisms of action of omega-3 fatty acids include the downregulation of VEGF and bFGF, and the suppression of pro-angiogenic eicosanoids such as cylooxygenase-2.

In this article, we review recent animal and human studies using dietary omega-3 fatty acids supplements, alone or in conjunction with chemotherapy, for the treatment of a variety of tumors dependent on angiogenesis for growth.

Available murine hemangioma models offer the opportunity to determine optimal omega-3 fatty acid dose, while taking in account related immunohistochemical markers, clinical outcome and secondary effects, before planning clinical trials.

Lessons learned in hemangiomas of infancy may have a broad impact in understanding the phenomenon of dysregulated angiogenesis in cancer research.

PMID: 16500033

News - Mother's prenatal and lactational diet may protect daughters from breast cancer

Babies benefit from omega-3 fatty acids from womb to high chair

Anaheim, Calif. Mothers who eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy and while nursing, and who continue to feed their babies such a diet after weaning, may reduce their daughters' risk of developing breast cancer later in life dramatically, according to research presented here today at the 96th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research.

Either maternal or post-weaning dietary consumption of this type of fat. that is, taking in omega-3 fatty acids through food or supplements at any point in life from conception to at least puberty. also could reduce the incidence rate for breast cancer in female offspring significantly.

Conversely, mothers' consumption of omega-6 fats commonly found in Western diets could increase their daughters' risk of breast cancer.

"Diet matters, Mom," said W. Elaine Hardman, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Division of Functional Foods at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge. "Inadvertently, we may be setting up our daughters to develop breast cancer 50 years from now."

Both omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids are essential for human health; however, particularly in the Western hemisphere, omega-6 fatty acids far exceed omega-3 fatty acids in the typical diet. Meat, eggs, poultry, cereals, breads, baked goods, most vegetable oils, and margarine are among dietary sources of omega-6 fatty acids.

Omega-3 fatty acids occur most commonly in fish especially cold-water fish such as tuna, salmon and mackerel as well as in canola and flaxseed oils, soybeans and nuts.

Hardman based her hypothesis on existing research showing that maternal diets containing high amounts of omega-6 fatty acids increase maternal estrogen levels; increased maternal estrogen, in turn, has been linked to an increased incidence of breast cancer among female offspring.

Meanwhile, many foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids are known to block the effects of estrogen and boost immunity.

Working with mice bred with a genetic predisposition to develop breast cancer, Hardman compared the incidence rates for the disease in offspring depending upon theirs and their mothers' relative consumption of diets either high in omega-6 fatty acids, or high in omega-3 fatty acids.

The genetic make-up of the female mice was such that all would develop hyperplasia; that is, to grow too many normal cells, in the mammary ducts, by three months of age. By six months, that hyperplasia would progress to mammary adenocarcinoma.

The mice were bred and the mothers were fed diets high in either omega-6 fatty acids or high in omega-3 fatty acids, both during the gestation period and while breast-feeding the female young. After the daughters were weaned, one group was placed on a high-omega-6 fatty acid diet, while the other was fed predominantly omega-3 fatty acids.

In Hardman's experiment, all the young exposed only to omega-6 fatty acids, in utero, in nursing and after weaning, showed mammary gland tumors by six months of age. Conversely, fewer than 60 percent of the female offspring who ate richly of high omega-3 fatty acids either maternally or post-weaning formed mammary tumors by the age of eight months. Those exposed to omega-3 fatty acids both maternally and after weaning had a tumor incidence rate of just 13 percent.

The beauty of the mouse model, Hardman explains, is the ability it gives researchers to collapse an entire life-span into a matter of months, instead of years. By using mice programmed genetically to develop tumors in the mammary glands eliminates the element of chance.

Harman has observed suppression of tumor growth with as little as two percent omega-3 fatty acids in the diet.

"A couple of servings a week may be enough," she said. "A quarter of a cup of walnuts constitutes one serving."

For pregnant women who are concerned about ingesting mercury in fish, Hardman recommends fish oil supplements, readily available in grocery, drug and health food stores. The fish oil in supplements is well purified.

Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-04/aafc-mpa041205.php

News - Not Enough Of The Right Fats Can Make Children Overweight

Written by: Catharine Paddock

Swedish scientists have discovered that children can become overweight if they don't have enough of the right kind of fat in their food. Or, in other words, eating a diet with the right kind of fat in it can stop kids getting overweight.

The findings of the dissertation based at Sahlgrenska Academy at Goteborg University are published online by the Swedish Research Council. The key is in the amount of unsaturated fat that a child consumes.

The study investigated the lifestyle, dietary intake, eating habits and insulin levels of nearly 200 healthy 4 year old children living in Göteborg, Sweden. Very few of the children were from deprived areas.

The scientists measured their weight and height to work out Body Mass Index (BMI). Based on the BMI measures, 23 per cent of the children were overweight and 2 per cent were classed as obese. The researchers say they would expect more overweight and obese children if they had come from a wider socio-economic range.

The results showed a curious correlation between fat intake and BMI. High BMI children were gaining weight because their bodies were storing too much fat. But these children were not the ones consuming the most fat. Children with low or ideal BMI ate more fat than those who had high BMI.

The key is in the amount of unsaturated fat that a child consumes and omega-3 in particular. Omega-3 is found in fatty fish and vegetables.

A third of the children in the group were not eating enough unsaturated fat, and by far the greatest deficiency was the level of omega-3 fat in their diet, according to lead researcher and Dietician Malin Haglund Garemo.

Other studies have also suggested a link between lack of omega-3 and obesity, she said.

Another important discovery was that the highest insulin levels were found in the children who had put on the most weight. Girls in particular showed this tendency, the researchers said. And girls with the lowest insulin levels were the ones who consumed the most unsaturated fat.

The study also found that many of the children were eating unhealthily. 70 per cent of them were deficient in iron, and 20 per cent of them were not getting enough calcium. Their daily intake of fruit and vegetables was only 140 g a day, instead of the recommended daily amount of 400 g.

And over 25 per cent of their daily energy was coming from what might be called "junk" foods such as soft drinks, candy or sweets, cookies, biscuits and ice cream.

The children who watched more than one hour of TV every day also had a higher BMI.

The researchers want to conduct further studies "to see if the early increase in insulin is causing obesity. Such results would go against the common perception that fat causes increased insulin production as a result of insulin resistance," said Malin Haglund Garemo.

Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=61831

More omega-3 and regular fish consumption included in new national recommendations for children

AHA Committee. Gidding SS, Dennison BA, Birch LL, et al. Dietary Recommendations for Children and Adolescents: A Guide for Practitioners. Pediatrics, 2006 ;117(2):544-559

American Heart Association (AHA) Pediatric Dietary Strategies for Individuals over 2 Years of age:

RECOMMENDATIONS to All Patients and Families:

Balance dietary calories with physical activity to maintain normal growth

60 min of moderate to vigorous play or physical activity daily

Eat vegetables and fruits daily, limit juice intake

Use vegetable oils and soft margarines low in saturated fat and trans fatty acids instead of butter or most other animal fats in the diet

Eat whole-grain breads and cereals rather than refined-grain products

Reduce the intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and foods

Use nonfat (skim) or low-fat milk and dairy products daily

Eat more fish, especially oily fish, broiled or baked

Reduce salt intake, including salt from processed foods

TIPS FOR PARENTS to Implement AHA Pediatric Dietary Guidelines

Reduce added sugars, including sugar-sweetened drinks and juices

Use canola, soybean, corn oil, safflower oil, or other unsaturated oils in place of solid fats during food preparation

Use recommended portion sizes on food labels when preparing and serving food

Use fresh, frozen, and canned vegetables and fruits and serve at every meal; be careful with added sauces and sugar

Introduce and regularly serve fish as an entre

Remove the skin from poultry before eating

Use only lean cuts of meat and reduced-fat meat products

Limit high-calorie sauces such as Alfredo, cream sauces, cheese sauces, and hollandaise

Eat whole-grain breads and cereals rather than refined products; read labels and ensure that "whole grain" is the first ingredient on the food label of these products

Eat more legumes (beans) and tofu in place of meat for some entres

Breads, breakfast cereals, and prepared foods, including soups, may be high in salt and/or sugar; read food labels for content and choose high-fiber, low-salt/low-sugar alternatives