Fructose intake is a predictor of LDL particle size in overweight schoolchildren.
BACKGROUND
High amounts of dietary fructose may contribute to dyslipidemia in adults, but there are few data in children. Childhood adiposity is associated with smaller LDL particle size, but the dietary predictors of LDL size in overweight children have not been studied.


OBJECTIVE
We aimed to determine whether LDL particle size is associated with dietary factors and specifically with fructose intake in normal-weight and overweight children.


METHODS
In a cross-sectional study of normal-weight and overweight 6-14 y-old Swiss children (n = 74), dietary intakes were assessed by using two 24-h-recalls and a 1-d dietary record. Body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratio (WHR) were measured, and plasma lipid profile and LDL particle size were determined.


RESULTS
Compared with the normal-weight group, overweight children had significantly higher plasma triacylglycerol concentrations, lower HDL-cholesterol concentrations, and smaller LDL particle size (P < 0.05). LDL particle size was inversely correlated to BMI SD scores and WHR (P = 0.007). Although there were no significant differences in total fructose intake, the overweight children consumed a significantly (P < 0.05) higher percentage of fructose from sweets and sweetened drinks than did the normal-weight children. After control for adiposity, the only dietary factor that was a significant predictor of LDL particle size was total fructose intake (P = 0.024).


CONCLUSIONS
In school-age children, greater total and central adiposity are associated with smaller LDL particle size and lower HDL cholesterol. Overweight children consume more fructose from sweets and sweetened drinks than do normal-weight children, and higher fructose intake predicts smaller LDL particle size.
Aeberli
Isabelle
I
Human Nutrition Laboratory, Institute of Food Science and Nutrition, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. isabelle.aeberli@ilw.agrl.ethz.ch
Zimmermann
Michael B
MB
Molinari
Luciano
L
Lehmann
Roger
R
l'Allemand
Dagmar
D
Spinas
Giatgen A
GA
Berneis
Kaspar
K
D000293:Adolescent; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D015930:Diet Records; D005260:Female; D005632:Fructose / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D050177:Overweight; D010316:Particle Size; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D013557:Switzerland; D013851:Thinness / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D005632:Fructose