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


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Two towns in Shimane prefecture, typical mountainous agricultural communities in the western part of the mainland of Japan.


METHODS
514 children (10-15 y) in the communities were recruited.


RESULTS
The mean cholesterol levels ranged from 3.9 to 4.4 mmol/l for boys and from 4.3 to 4.5 mmol/l 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 omega-3 series fatty acids. Milk intake was negatively and soybean intake was positively correlated with omega-3/omega-6 series fatty acids ratio. Serum branched-chain amino acids were correlated negatively with serum polyunsaturated/saturated 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 fish, 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.
Fukushima
T
T
Department of Environmental Medicine, Shimane Medical University, Izumo, Japan.
Hojo
N
N
Isobe
A
A
Gao
T
T
Shiwaku
K
K
Yamane
Y
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000383:Agriculture; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000097:blood*; D000818:Animals; D000886:Anthropometry; D002648:Child; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000097:blood; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008892:Milk; D012424:Rural Population; D013025:Glycine max
D000596:Amino Acids; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D008055:Lipids; D002784:Cholesterol