Longitudinal child-oriented dietary intervention: Association with parental diet and cardio-metabolic risk factors. The Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project

Abstract

Background: The child-oriented dietary intervention given in the prospective Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project (STRIP) has decreased the intake of saturated fat and lowered serum cholesterol concentration in children from infancy until early adulthood. In this study, we investigated whether the uniquely long-term child-oriented intervention has affected also secondarily parental diet and cardio-metabolic risk factors. Methods: The STRIP study is a longitudinal, randomized infancy-onset atherosclerosis prevention trial continued from the child's age of 8 months to 20 years. The main aim was to modify the child's diet towards reduced intake of saturated fat. Parental dietary intake assessed by a one-day food record and cardio-metabolic risk factors were analysed between the child's ages of 9-19 years. Results: Saturated fat intake of parents in the intervention group was lower [mothers: 12.0 versus 13.9 daily energy (E%), p < 0.0001; fathers: 12.5 versus 13.9 E%, p < 0.0001] and polyunsaturated fat intake was higher (mothers: 6.1 versus 5.4 E%, p < 0.0001; fathers: 6.3 versus 5.9 E%, p ¼ 0.0003) compared with the control parents. Maternal total and lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations were lower in the intervention compared with the control group (mean AE SE 5.02 AE 0.04 versus 5.14 AE 0.04 mmol/l, p ¼ 0.04 and 3.19 AE 0.04 versus 3.30 AE 0.03 mmol/l, p ¼ 0.03, respectively). Paternal cholesterol values did not differ between the intervention and control groups. Other cardio-metabolic risk factors were similar in the study groups. Conclusions: Child-oriented dietary intervention shifted the dietary fat intakes of parents closer to the recommendations and tended to decrease total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the intervention mothers. Dietary intervention directed to children benefits also parents.

Smoking in childhood and early adolescence: A case of the early bird not catching the worm

“…A shift in mentality towards the direction of protecting children's health in the family environment has been proven to yield mutual health benefits, both for parents and children. 13 Similarly, smoking cessation rates are higher amongst parents whose children are engaged in tobacco prevention programs. 13 Thirdly, considering the above, policy makers should intensify the implementation of comprehensive proactive measures to reduce youth's exposure to tobacco, either by direct access or through passive smoking.…”

“…13 Similarly, smoking cessation rates are higher amongst parents whose children are engaged in tobacco prevention programs. 13 Thirdly, considering the above, policy makers should intensify the implementation of comprehensive proactive measures to reduce youth's exposure to tobacco, either by direct access or through passive smoking. Finally, clinicians should embark on further research to strengthen these results with hard clinical endpoints.…”

Editor’s presentation

“…It shifted the dietary fat intakes of parents closer to the recommendations and tended to decrease total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the intervention mothers. 13…”

Skipping breakfast concomitant with late-night dinner eating is associated with worse outcomes following ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

“…In addition, a food-based approach facilitates patient guidance, and changes in eating behaviours in parents or children could modify the home food environment. 1–4 Notwithstanding this evidence, eating behaviours are increasingly varied. Typical breakfast, lunch and dinner meals are difficult to distinguish because skipping meals has become more prevalent.…”