Lifestyle modification induced weight loss and changes of cardiometabolic risk factors including lowering of inflammatory response in obese children.

OBJECTIVES: Obesity is associated with increased inflammation which represents a link to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Lipoprotein associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) is an independent marker of inflammation and atherosclerosis risk. To assess the impact of weight loss on metabolic markers of atherosclerosis including Lp-PLA2 we examined a group of Czech non-diabetic obese/overweight children exposed to a lifestyle intervention. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fourty unrelated overweight/obese non-diabetic Czech children (13.7 ± 2.1 years, average BMI at baseline 29.8 ± 2.6 kg/m2) underwent 4 weeks of lifestyle modification (reduction of energy intake to age matched optimum and supervised physical activity). Anthropometrical and biochemical variables were determined at baseline and after the intervention. Lp-PLA2 mass concentration was assessed using the ELISA kit. Wilcocson's rank test and Spearman's correlation were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: A significant decrease of BMI and waist circumference was associated with significant changes of plasma lipoprotein and glycaemia levels. Mass concentration of Lp-PLA2 at the baseline was 402 ± 94 µg/ml, after the intervention 368 ± 105 µg/ml (p=0.008). Change in Lp-PLA2 was associated with triglyceride level decrease (p=0.009). CONCLUSION: Intensive lifestyle modification leading to body weight decrease results in significant changes of plasma lipoprotein levels and, also, a drop of Lp-PLA2 levels in paediatric obese patients. However, even after the intervention Lp-PLA2 concentrations in this patient group remain elevated suggesting possible increased atherosclerosis risk in later life.

Possible effect of DHA intake on body weight reduction and lipid metabolism in obese children.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to determine whether increased intake of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) would affect the weight loss or the various biochemical parameters in the blood of obese children following dietary/physical intervention. There were 120 obese (BMIs≥30 kg/m(2); mean 33.5 ± 3.9) children included in this randomized crossover study; aged 8-12 years (10.0 ± 1.9). METHODS: The children consumed an extra 300 mg DHA and 42 mg EPA (Haliborange ®) daily for a period of 3 weeks. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were measured and documented for each of the subjects at the beginning of the study, after three weeks of treatment and at the end of the study. RESULTS: The daily consumption of 300 mg DHA and 42 mg of EPA was associated with decreased body weight (with DHA: 86.4 ± 19.6 to 80.8 ± 20.4 kg vs. without DHA: 85.6 ± 20.8 to 80.9 ± 19.9 kg; p<0.005) and total cholesterol concentration (with DHA: 3.72 ± 0.78 to 3.32 ± 0.53 mmol/l vs. without DHA: 3.74 ± 0.78 to 3.56 ± 0.56 mmol/l; p<0.05 and respectively with DHA). CONCLUSION: Daily consumption of 300 mg DHA and 42 mg EPA (Haliborange®) for 3 weeks leads to an improvement of the anthropometric and lipid parameters in obese children following dietary physical intervention.