Changing relationships of obesity and dyslipidemia in Greek children: 1982-2002

Quality Characteristics of Substitute Meat Patties Developed Using Aruncus dioicus var. kamtschaticus Hara

We developed a vegetable alternative to meat patties using Aruncus dioicus var. kamtschaticus Hara (A. dioicus) and used it to generate basic data for the alternative meat market by comparing nutritional and microbiological components with commercially available vegetable and meat patties. Nutrient analysis, microbiological analysis, chromaticity, and texture analysis were performed on substitute meat patties (SMPs) with A. dioicus and commercially available vegetable and animal patties. Among sugars, the contents of fructose and maltose were respectively high in commercial meat patties (CMPs) and SMPs. SMPs were low in saturated and trans-fat, and high in ω-3 fatty acids. The contents (in descending order) of leucine > phenylalanine > threonine > isoleucine were high in SMPs and commercial vegetable patties (CVPs). Qualitative and quantitative findings of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus were all negative. Our SMPs had high lightness (L*), low redness (a*), and low yellowness (b*). The hardness, chewiness, and resilience of our SMPs were lower than those of other vegetable and animal patties. Considering our results, the method of manufacturing SMPs developed in the present study allows meat to be flavored without significant nutritional differences compared with commercially available CMPs. Our findings provide a base for studies on future meat alternatives.

Fatores associados à dislipidemia em crianças de 4 a 7 anos de idade

Objetivo: Avaliar o perfil lipídico e fatores associados à dislipidemia em crianças. Métodos: Estudo transversal que avaliou crianças de 4 a 7 anos acompanhadas nos primeiros meses de vida por um Programa de Extensão da Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Minas Gerais. Foram consideradas as dosagens de colesterol total, lipoproteína de alta densidade, lipoproteína de baixa densidade e triglicerídeos. Foram estudadas variáveis possivelmente associadas ao perfil lipídico, sendo elas variáveis maternas, sociodemográficas e aquelas associadas à criança. Foram realizadas análises bivariada e multivariadas, sendo as últimas por meio de regressão logística múltipla. Resultados: A amostra foi constituída por 185 crianças, de ambos os sexos. Observou-se que 46,5% (n=86) apresentaram valores aumentados de colesterol total, 9,2% (n=17) de lipoproteína de baixa densidade e 4,9% (n=9) de triglicerídeos. Com relação à lipoproteína de alta densidade, 35,1% (n=65) apresentaram valores abaixo do desejável. Demonstrou associação independente com o perfil lipídico das crianças a renda per capita, escolaridade materna e idade materna (associando-se à lipoproteína de baixa densidade) e o excesso de peso, que se associou a maiores prevalências de alterações em triglicerídeos. Conclusão: Foram observadas altas prevalências de dislipidemias. Condições sociodemográficas e estado nutricional demonstraram influenciar, também em crianças, a ocorrência de dislipidemias, as quais são citadas como fatores de risco para as doenças cardiovasculares. Revela-se a importância de se estudar esses fatores desde a infância, realizando-se estudos com outras faixas etárias que verifiquem a prevalência e fatores associados, de forma a promover o cuidado com a saúde desse grupo populacional.

Common genetic variants associated with lipid profiles in a Chinese pediatric population

Genome-wide association (GWA) studies have identified many candidate genes that are associated with blood lipid and lipoprotein concentrations. In this study, we want to know whether the results from European for lipid-related single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are generalizable to Chinese children. We genotyped seven SNPs in Chinese school-age children (n = 3,503) and assessed the associations of these SNPs with lipids profiles and dyslipidemia. After false discovery rate correction, of the seven SNPs, six (rs2144300, p ~ 9.30 × 10(-3); rs1260333, p ~ 6.20 × 10(-11); rs1260326, p ~ 8.73 × 10(-11); rs10105606, p ~ 0.010; rs1748195, p ~ 0.016 and rs964184, p ~ 2.33 × 10(-13)) showed strong association with triglycerides. Three SNPs (rs1260333, p ~ 3.30 × 10(-3); rs1260326, p ~ 4.39 × 10(-3) and rs2954029, p ~ 6.36 × 10(-4)) showed strong association with total cholesterol. Two SNPs (rs10105606, p ~ 6.66 × 10(-4) and rs1748195, p ~ 2.55 × 10(-3)) showed strong association with high density lipoprotein cholesterol. Four SNPs (rs1260333, p ~ 0.017; rs1260326, p ~ 0.013; rs2954029, p ~ 1.09 × 10(-3) and rs964184, p ~ 5.51 × 10(-3)) showed strong association with low density lipoprotein cholesterol. There were significant associations between rs1260333 (OR is 0.82, 95 % CI 0.74-0.92, p ~ 3.96 × 10(-4)), rs1260326 (OR is 0.82, 95 % CI 0.74-0.92, p ~ 5.31 × 10(-4)), and rs964184 (OR is 1.36, 95 % CI 1.20-1.55, p ~ 1.89 × 10(-6)) and dyslipidemia. These SNPs generated strong combined effects on lipid profiles and dyslipidemia. Our study demonstrates that SNPs associated with lipids from European GWA studies also play roles in Chinese children, which broadened the understanding of lipids metabolism.

Chemical composition of nuts and seeds sold in Korea

Eleven types of nuts and seeds were analyzed to determine their energy (326-733 mg), moisture (1.6-18.3 mg), carbohydrate (8.8-70.9 mg), protein (4.9-30.5 mg), lipid (2.5-69.8 mg), and ash (1.2-5.5 mg) contents per 100 g of sample. Energy content was highest in pine nuts (733 mg/100 g), carbohydrate level was highest in dried figs (70.9 mg/100 g) and protein was highest in peanuts (30.5 mg/100 g). The amino acid compositions of nuts and seeds were characterized by the dominance of hydrophobic (range = 1,348.6-10,284.6 mg), hydrophilic (range = 341.1-3,244.3 mg), acidic (range = 956.1-8,426.5 mg), and basic (range = 408.6-4,738.5 mg) amino acids. Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) were highest in macadamia nuts (81.3%), whereas polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were highest in the walnuts (76.7%). Macadamia nuts did not contain any vitamin E, whereas sunflower seeds contained the highest level (60.3 mg/kg). Iron (Fe) content was highest in pumpkin seeds (95.85 ± 33.01 ppm), zinc (Zn) content was highest in pistachios (67.24 ± 30.25 ppm), copper (Cu) content was greatest in walnuts (25.45 ± 21.51 ppm), and lead (Pb) content was greatest in wheat nuts (25.49 ± 4.64 ppm), significantly (P < 0.05). In conclusion, current commercial nuts and seeds have no safety concerns, although further analysis of Pb contents is necessary to ensure safety.

Cardiorespiratory fitness, metabolic risk, and inflammation in children

The aim of this study was to investigate the independent associations among cardiorespiratory fitness, metabolic syndrome (MetS), and C-reactive protein (CRP) in children. The sample consisted of 112 children (11.4  ±  0.4 years). Data was obtained for children's anthropometry, cardiorespiratory fitness, MetS components, and CRP levels. MetS was defined using criteria analogous to the Adult Treatment Panel III definition. A MetS risk score was also computed. Prevalence of the MetS was 5.4%, without gender differences. Subjects with low fitness showed significantly higher MetS risk (P < 0.001) and CRP (P < 0.007), compared to the high-fitness pupils. However, differences in MetS risk, and CRP between fitness groups decreased when adjusted for waist circumference. These data indicate that the mechanisms linking cardiorespiratory fitness, MetS risk and inflammation in children are extensively affected by obesity. Intervention strategies aiming at reducing obesity and improving cardiorespiratory fitness in childhood might contribute to the prevention of the MetS in adulthood.

Prevalence of obesity and body mass index correlates in a representative sample of Cretan school children

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity and investigate associated factors in a representative sample of Cretan school children.

METHODS

As part of a cross-sectional study in children aged 10-12 years (n = 481, 48% boys) in 27 (urban and rural) schools in Crete, Greece, the rates of overweight and obesity were estimated and multiple logistic regression was used to explore the relationship between several factors and body mass index (BMI).

RESULTS

It was shown that 28% and 13% of children were overweight and obese, respectively. Factors affecting children's BMI classification included: gender (95% CI: 0.21 to 0.56); birth weight (95% CI: 1.33 to 3.46); parental overweight or obesity (95% CI: 1.11 to 6.5 and 95% CI: 4.37 to 30.7 for one and both overweight or obese parents, respectively), paternal educational level (95% CI: 0.89 to 3.48 and 95% CI: 1.49 to 6.13 for low and high educational level, respectively); and cardiovascular fitness levels (95% CI: 0.87 to 0.92).

CONCLUSION

The combined prevalence of overweight and obesity was alarmingly high in the current population (41%); several physiological, behavioural and social factors were shown to affect children's BMI status. These findings highlight the extent of the child obesity problem in Crete and support the need for actions to be taken at a national level to tackle the obesity epidemic.

Risk factors for dyslipidemia in Chinese children

AIM

Since the mortality rate due to cardiovascular disease continues to increase, research into dyslipidemia has been emphasized in not only adults but also paediatric populations. We aimed to study the risk factors of dyslipidemia in Chinese children.

METHODS

Nine hundred and sixty-two children, aged 6-18 years, in Beijing were enrolled. For each child, data were collected on body height (cm), body weight (kg), sitting height (cm), waist circumference, upper arm circumference, serum lipid levels, as well as familial history of dyslipidemia and early onset cardiovascular disease. Subgroups were determined on the basis of age and sex.

RESULTS

The prevalence rate of dyslipidemia was 11.1% (107/962). Children with dyslipidemia differed significantly from those without, in sitting height, upper arm circumference, body mass index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WHR) and diastolic and systolic blood pressure (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis suggested that WHR, diastolic blood pressure and positive familial history were risk factors for dyslipidemia in children.

CONCLUSION

Sitting height, upper arm circumference, BMI, WHR, diastolic pressure and systolic pressure were significantly higher in dyslipidemic children than in normal subjects in China. BMI, WHR, diastolic pressure and familial history of dyslipidemia and early-onset cardiovascular disease were risk factors for dyslipidemia in Chinese children.

Elevated atherogenic lipoproteins in childhood: Risk, prevention, and treatment

Elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level in childhood is an increasing problem, mainly due to a rising prevalence secondary to the childhood obesity epidemic and better recognition and screening. Vascular changes and impaired endothelial function associated with elevated LDL-C are apparent even in early childhood. Secondary adiposity-related cases are at higher risk due to the clustering of risk factors besides overweight, such as the atherogenic lipid triad, change in the atherogenic properties of the LDL-C particle itself, and the presence of insulin resistance. Prevention should focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a restricted fat and cholesterol diet, encouraging physical activity, and decreasing sedentary pursuits to maintain an appropriate weight in children. For children and adolescents found to have elevated LDL-C, management should focus on the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle mirroring that for prevention for at least 6 months. Additional dietary therapy, such as plant stanol and sterol esters, have also been shown to modestly reduce LDL-C levels. If the adoption of a healthy lifestyle is not sufficient to reduce LDL-C, lipid-lowering drugs should be considered in selected patients. Current drugs of choice are statins and potentially ezetimibe. Long-term treatment with statins has been shown to markedly reduce carotid intima-media thickness in children and adolescents, particularly when started early. Current evidence supports early and efficient treatment for affected children.