Abstract
Context: Adiponectin is an adipokine that is secreted by adipocytes and acts to prevent obesity and obesity-related disorders. The high ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids in modern dietary habits in working-age populations, urban areas in particular, is known to play a role in adiponectin secretion. However, previous studies showed inconclusive results. Aim: The study aims to determine the association of the dietary omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids ratio with adiponectin levels in office workers in Jakarta, Indonesia. Settings and Design: This cross-sectional study included 55 office workers in East Jakarta, Indonesia. Methods: Data were collected via questionnaire, 3-day food record, anthropometric measurement, and serum collection. Statistical analysis used: Independent t test was applied to assess the relationship between subjects characteristics and dietary intake with high molecular weight adiponectin levels. Association of dietary omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids ratio and adiponectin were evaluated using Pearson correlation test (P < 0.05). Results: There is no statistically significant difference in adiponectin levels based on waist circumference category, as well as categories of physical activity, household income levels, total energy, and total fat intake. Conversely, in female subjects (P = 0.000), subjects with normal body mass index (P = 0.000), higher education levels (P = 0.031), and nonsmoking subjects (P = 0.019), significantly higher adiponectin levels are obtained. The ratio of dietary omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids is negatively correlated with adiponectin (P = 0.004, r = –0.383). Conclusions: The decrease in the ratio of omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids is inversely related to higher level of adiponectin, indicating that dietary changes may potentially play a role in prevention strategies for obesity and obesity-related diseases.
Key Points
Studies on the relationship between omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids intake ratio with adiponectin levels have not been reviewed thoroughly and showed inconclusive results. Thus, differences in dietary intake and genetic variation in each population can be affected.
This study aims to assess the ratio of omega-6 fatty acid intake to omega-3 and its association with adiponectin in office workers in one of the regions with the largest working population in Indonesia, East Jakarta. The high ratio indicates that the intake of omega-3 fatty acids in most subjects was still relatively low compared to omega-6. The presence of this disparity ratio is considered to raise the incidence of obesity and obesity-related diseases. In the present study, the ratio of omega-6 fatty acid intake to omega-3 was weakly negatively correlated to adiponectin concentrations. The proportion of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids ratio in the working population should be acknowledged by promoting health education to increase employee’s understanding of the importance of balanced omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids ratio in the prevention of obesity and obesity-related diseases. Further study is needed on the food composition of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in Indonesia and the use of biomarkers, such as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid levels in erythrocytes membrane.