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Omega‐3 fatty acid consumption of lean and obese children ages 8 to 11 living in a community near the east coast of the United States
Author(s) -
Heidal Kimberly,
Hickner Robert C,
Tanner Charles J,
Brophy Patricia,
Schmitt Brian,
Piland Meagan
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.936.2
Subject(s) - overweight , medicine , incidence (geometry) , environmental health , obesity , demography , omega 3 fatty acid , insulin resistance , fatty acid , pediatrics , zoology , gerontology , food science , docosahexaenoic acid , polyunsaturated fatty acid , chemistry , biology , biochemistry , physics , sociology , optics
Eastern North Carolina youths have a higher incidence of overweight than the state and national average, with the incidence of overweight for 6–11 year‐olds ranging on average from 20%–34% in the counties of Eastern North Carolina. The health risks often associated with obesity in adults, such as insulin resistance and abnormal plasma lipid profiles, are now being seen in young overweight children. This study surveyed children between the ages of 8–11 to determine their health risk for secondary health conditions and disease states associated with low omega‐3 fatty acid intake. Thirty‐four subjects were recruited via fliers at local elementary schools. A validated omega‐3 food frequency questionnaire containing 11 food categories was used to collect data on food consumption over the previous month. ALA, EPA, DHA and combined EPA/DHA dietary levels were assessed. Mean daily ALA consumption were low (0.59 ± 0.42 mg) with combined DPA and DHA levels were also low (0.13 ± 0.14 mg). The average total cholesterol of the sample was 164.35 ± 26.17 mg/dl and the average blood glucose was 91.42 ± 5.31 mg/dl. This survey provided an overview of children's dietary patterns and the possible need for nutrition education on the health benefits and good dietary sources of omega‐3 fatty acids.