Swedish PhD Student Shows That Saturated Fat and
Full-cream Dairy Are Healthier For Children
We have known for ever, it
seems, that the UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA) is
hopelessly wrong when it tells us to cut out saturated
animal fats. I have written to complain about TV ads
that have been backed by such advice. Since those who
would lead us are hopelessly incompetent, it now seems
that we must rely on Sweden to lead the way out of the
health mess we are in.
In this study a PhD student
provides evidence that our FSA won't want to
read.
Eriksson, Susanne. Studies on nutrition, body
composition and bone mineralization in healthy
8-yr-olds in an urban Swedish community. PhD thesis
(Medicine), University of Gothenburg. Sahlgrenska
Academy, Institute of Clincial Sciences. Department of
Pediatrics, 2009-09-30. http://gupea.ub.gu.se/dspace/handle/2077/20457
Abstract:
Background: The incidence of
welfare diseases including overweight in childhood is
increasing worldwide. The results from a study of
healthy pre-school children showed that in a population
with well educated parents 17% of the children were
overweight or obese at the age of 4 years. Gender
differences in metabolic profiles and correlations
between food intake and anthropometry motivated a
follow-up study at the age of 8 years.
Aim: The aim of the study was to
investigate nutritional intake, bone mineralization and
metabolic markers in a group of healthy 8-year-olds and
relate these parameters to body composition, growth,
socio-economic variables, physical activity and health.
Subjects & Methods: Ninety-two,
previously examined children, accepted participation
and an additional 28 children were included. A 24-hour
dietary recall was performed. Questionnaires on food
choice, health, physical activity and socioeconomic
variables were used. Anthropometry was measured and
bone mineralization and body composition were assessed
by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Blood samples were
obtained for analysis of metabolic markers.
Results: The population was
representative of that in Sweden except that more
parents held a university degree. Seventeen % of the
children were overweight. Glucose, HOMA-index and
leptin differed by gender despite no difference in
anthropometry. Leptin was the best marker for
overweight. Serum concentration of vitamin D was low
(<75 nmol/L) in 62% of the children. Food choice was
similar to that at 4 years of age suggesting that food
habits were established at an early age. Children who
consumed fat fish once a week or more had higher
concentrations of n-3 serum phospholipid fatty acids
and a lower n-6/n-3 ratio. Intake of saturated fat was
negatively associated to anthropometry and children who
consumed full fat milk regularly had a lower BMI
compared to those who seldom or never drank milk. With
the exception for the intake of milk and soft drinks no
socioeconomic influences were seen on the
children’s nutritional intake. Bone mass differed
by gender and weight and larger bones were found in
boys and overweight children. Physical activity was
associated with the bone mass in the hip of both boys
and girls. Serum phospholipid fatty acid pattern was
associated with bone mineralization.
Conclusions: BMI correlated
strongly to fat mass and leptin was the best marker of
overweight and fat mass in 8-year-olds. Food choice was
similar to that at 4 years of age. An intake of fat
fish once a week was associated with higher serum
concentrations of n-3 fatty acids. Saturated fat and
intake of full fat milk were inversely associated with
BMI. Serum phospholipid fatty acids were associated
with bone mineralisation. The results for metabolic
markers may provide preliminary reference intervals in
healthy children.
Last updated 8
November 2009
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