Dietary intakes of fat and antioxidant vitamins are predictors of subclinical inflammation in overweight Swiss children

Aeberli I et al.
Am J Clin Nutr. 2006 Oct;84(4):748-55.

BACKGROUND: In obese children, subclinical inflammation is often present
and is correlated with the metabolic syndrome. Dietary factors, such as
fatty acids and antioxidants, potentially modulate the association
between adiposity and subclinical inflammation, but few data are
available in children. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine
whether dietary fat or antioxidant intakes influence circulating tumor
necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin 6 (IL-6), C-reactive
protein (CRP), and leptin concentrations in overweight children. DESIGN:
In a cross-sectional study of 6-14-y-old normal-weight (n = 33),
overweight (n = 19), and obese (n = 27) Swiss children, nutritional
intakes were assessed from two 24-h dietary recalls and a 1-d dietary
record. Percentage body fat from skinfold thicknesses, waist-hip ratio,
and blood pressure were measured. Fasting blood samples were collected
for the measurement of insulin, glucose, HDL-cholesterol,
triacylglycerol, CRP, IL-6, TNF-alpha, and leptin concentrations.
RESULTS: CRP, IL-6, and leptin increased significantly (P < 0.02) with
increasing adiposity, independent of age; TNF-alpha did not increase.
Total dietary fat and the percentage of energy from fat were significant
predictors of CRP concentration, independent of body mass index (P <
0.05). Meat intake was a significant predictor of IL-6 and leptin,
independent of body mass index (P < 0.05). Intakes of antioxidant
vitamins (vitamins E and C and beta-carotene) were significant
predictors of leptin (P < 0.05) but not of CRP, IL-6, or TNF-alpha.
CONCLUSIONS: Overweight Swiss children as young as 6 y have elevated
concentrations of inflammatory markers. Intakes of total fat and
antioxidant vitamins are determinants of subclinical inflammation in
this age group.