Prospective, randomized, infancy-onset trial of the effects of a low-saturated-fat, low-cholesterol diet on serum lipids and lipoproteins before school age: The Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project (STRIP).
BACKGROUND
We showed previously that repeated dietary counseling during the first 3 years of life reduces the concentration of serum nonfasting cholesterol. We have now extended the study to children 5 years of age and analyzed fasting blood samples, enabling LDL cholesterol calculations for the first time.


RESULTS
Families of 7-month-old infants (n=1062) were randomized to a control group (n=522) or an intervention group (n=540) that received individualized dietary counseling with the aims of a fat intake of 30% to 35% of daily energy, a saturated/monounsaturated/polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio of 1:1:1, and a cholesterol intake of <200 mg/d. Nutrient intakes were studied biannually, nonfasting serum lipid values were studied annually, and fasting values were studied at 5 years of age. The intervention children always had lower intakes of saturated fat and cholesterol than the control children. The intervention boys had 0.39 mmol/L (P:<0.0001) lower mean serum cholesterol values than the control boys between 13 and 60 months of age, but among girls, the difference was of marginal significance (0.15 mmol/L, P:=0.052). Five-year-old intervention boys had 9% lower mean serum LDL cholesterol concentrations than the control boys (P:=0.0002; 95% CI, -0.39 to -0.12 mmol/L), whereas no difference was observed in girls. In both sexes, serum triglyceride concentrations were similar in the 2 groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The restriction of saturated fat and cholesterol intake by repeated, individualized dietary counseling since infancy resulted in lower serum total and LDL cholesterol concentrations at 5 years of age. However, the effect was significant only in boys.
Rask-Nissilä
L
L
Cardiorespiratory Research Unit, University of Turku, Turku, Finland. leena.rask-nissila@utu.fi
Jokinen
E
E
Rönnemaa
T
T
Viikari
J
J
Tammi
A
A
Niinikoski
H
H
Seppänen
R
R
Tuominen
J
J
Simell
O
O
D017668:Age of Onset; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D004036:Diet, Atherogenic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors
D008074:Lipoproteins; D002784:Cholesterol