Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/936874

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Title
Omega-3 index, obesity and insulin resistance in children
Author/Creator
Burrows, T.;  Collins, C. E.;  Garg, M. L.
Institution
The University of Newcastle. Faculty of Health, School of Health Sciences
Description
Objectives: Recent studies in adults have suggested that the plasma level of omega-3 fatty acids may be associated with weight status and abdominal adiposity, limited studies exist in paediatric populations. The present study examined the relationship between the omega-3 index, weight status and insulin resistance in children. Methods: School-age children between 5–12 years, classified as non-obese or obese on the basis of body mass index (BMI) z-scores, were examined. Fat intake was assessed using a parent reported 135-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Erythrocyte fatty acid composition was determined using gas chromatography. The Omega-3 index (O3I) was calculated by adding eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid % (weight/weight) values. Results: Obese children had altered erythrocyte fatty acid composition unrelated to reported dietary intake. A greater proportion of obese (BMI z-score > 2.25) children (33%) had an omega-3 index of < 4.0 (high risk) compared with non-obese children (BMI z-score < 2.25) (17%). Simultaneously, the number of children with a higher omega-3 index (6.0–8.0 lower risk) was lower in the obese (13%) versus non-obese children (25%, respectively). A moderate, but statistically significant correlation was found between O3I and fasting insulin level (r = −0.3, P = 0.03) and with homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) scores (r = −0.3, P = 0.04). Conclusion: The observed association between the omega-3 index, weight status and insulin resistance in children highlights the importance of omega-3 fatty acids in the prevention of obesity-related chronic diseases in later life. The results presented merits confirmation in a larger sample of obese children.
Relation
International Journal of Pediatric Obesity Vol. 6, Issue 2-2, p. e532-e539
Publisher Link
http://dx.doi.org/10.3109/17477166.2010.549489
Date
2011
Publisher
Wiley-Blackwell Publishing
Keyword(s)
pediatric;  obesity;  omega-3 fatty acids;  omega-3 index;  erythrocytes;  insulin resistance;  glucose;  HOMA score
Resource Type
journal article
Identifier
http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/936874
Identifier
ISSN:1747-7166
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Subject
"International Journal of Pediatric Obesity"
 
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