Comparison of serum concentration and dietary intake of alpha-tocopherol in a sample of urban and rural Costa Rican adolescents
Arch. latinoam. nutr
; 53(2): 165-171, jun. 2003.
Article
in En
| LILACS
| ID: lil-356573
Responsible library:
BR1.1
RESUMO
Results from several studies have suggested that vitamin E intake could inhibit the progression of atherosclerotic lesions. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate Costa Rican adolescents' serum alpha-tocopherol levels and their correlation with Body Mass Index (BMI) and the dietary intake of vitamin E and saturated and polyunsaturated fat. Ninety-five healthy, non-smoking adolescents and non-vitamin supplement users (aged 13-18) from urban and rural areas in San José, Costa Rica, were included in this study. Serum levels of lipid adjusted alpha-tocopherol were significantly higher in rural adolescents compared with urban youngsters (4.192 mumol/mmol +/- 0.831 and 3.486 mumol/mmol +/- 0.996, respectively). Likewise, reported mean daily 1000 kcal adjusted-vitamin E intake was higher in rural adolescents than in urban youngsters (9.2 +/- 3.7 mg. 16.0 +/- 8.7 mg). An important correlation was observed between intake of energy from saturated fat and adjusted-alpha-tocopherol serum levels (r = 0.430). Contrariwise, they correlated poorly with dietary alpha-tocopherol (r = 0.273), suggesting that serum is not a good biomarket of intake for alpha-tocopherol. Additionally, our results showed a negative relationship between BMI and adjusted-serum vitamin E levels (beta = 0.189; CI 95 per cent -0.153, -0.013). The analysis of vitamin E intake showed that over 25 per cent of adolescents have inadequate intake of the nutrient. This study suggests that nutritionists and pediatricians should encourage alpha-tocopherol intake and monitor the food sources of the nutrient and the adolescents' body weight as part of the strategies aimed at developing a healthy lifestyle.
Full text:
1
Index:
LILACS
Main subject:
Alpha-Tocopherol
/
Diet
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
America central
/
Costa rica
Language:
En
Journal:
Arch. latinoam. nutr
Journal subject:
Bioqu¡mica
/
EducaÆo Alimentar e Nutricional
/
Fenmenos Fisiol¢gicos da NutriÆo
/
Microbiologia de Alimentos
/
NUTRICAO
Year:
2003
Type:
Article