Key Findings
In this large sample of European children, high blood levels of the omega 6 fatty acid, arachidonic acid (ARA) were positively associated with subsequent higher levels of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure. ALA and EPA showed a beneficial effect on BP in the subgroup of thin/normal weight children. However, in overweight/obese children an unfavorable effect of EPA was observed. In children the weight status seems to modify the inverse association of EPA with BP. The unfavorable effects of a high BMI and an altered n-3 PUFA status may have overlaid the protective effects of n-3 PUFA on BP. The results suggest that ARA adversely affects BP in children and may contribute to the development of hypertension whereas n-3 PUFA exert BP lowering effects in thin and normal weight children.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Polyunsaturated n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are precursors of biologically active metabolites that affect blood pressure (BP) regulation. This study investigated the association of n-3 and n-6 PUFA and BP in children and adolescents.
METHODS: In a subsample of 1267 children aged 2-9 years at baseline of the European IDEFICS (Identification and prevention of dietary- and lifestyle-induced health effects in children and infants) cohort whole blood fatty acids were measured by a validated gas chromatographic method. Systolic and diastolic BP was measured at baseline and after two and six years. Mixed-effects models were used to assess the associations between fatty acids at baseline and BP z-scores over time adjusting for relevant covariables. Models were further estimated stratified by sex and weight status. RESULTS: The baseline level of arachidonic acid was positively associated with subsequent systolic BP (β = 0.08, P = 0.002) and diastolic BP (β = 0.07, P<0.001). In thin/normal weight children, baseline alpha-linolenic (β = -1.13, P = 0.003) and eicosapentaenoic acid (β = -0.85, P = 0.003) levels were inversely related to baseline and also to subsequent systolic BP and alpha-linolenic acid to subsequent diastolic BP. In overweight/obese children, baseline eicosapentaenoic acid level was positively associated with baseline diastolic BP (β = 0.54, P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Low blood arachidonic acid levels in the whole sample and high n-3 PUFA levels in thin/normal weight children are associated with lower and therefore healthier BP. The beneficial effects of high n-3 PUFA on BP were not observed in overweight/obese children, suggesting that they may have been overlaid by the unfavorable effects of excess weight.
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