Food intake, serum lipids and amino acids of school children in agricultural communities in Japan

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the correlation among serum lipids, amino acids and diet of children in Japan where the mortality of ischemic heart disease is still very low. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Two towns in Shimane prefecture, typical mountaneous agricultural communities in the western part of the mainland of Japan. Subjects: 514 children (10 ± 15 y) in the communities were recruited. Results: The mean cholesterol levels ranged from 3.9 to 4.4 mmolal for boys and from 4.3 to 4.5 mmolal for girls, and serum cholesterol level fell with age in boys. Serum cholesterol level of girls rose once between 11 and 13 y and fell gradually. Fish intake was positively correlated with serum o-3 series fatty acids. Milk intake was negatively and soybean intake was positively correlated with o-3ao-6 series fatty acids ratio. Serum branchedchain amino acids were correlated negatively with serum polyunsaturatedasaturated fatty acids ratio. Conclusions: Serum cholesterol level of children in agricultural communities in Japan has risen, and is probably affected by the change of food intake. Promoting the intake of soybean and ®sh, which are traditional Japanese foods, will be important in preventing atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease. Attention should be paid to the relationship between branched-chain amino acids level in blood and fatty acids metabolism to verify the mechanism of the progress of atherosclerosis.

A comparative validation of a child food frequency questionnaire using red blood cell membrane fatty acids

“…Alternatively, food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) may have been used, which were originally developed for adults and not specifically for use with children. 11,16,19,20 The increased prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity internationally, 21 coupled with research suggesting that child food intake patterns track through to adulthood, 22 has led to an increased interest in exploring the dietary intakes of children. 23 Emerging literature suggests that the fatty acid composition of ingested fatty acids is associated with the increased prevalence of obesity.…”