title: Plasma phospholipid fatty acids in obese male and female Mexican children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the plasma phospholipid (PL) fatty acid composition in obese Mexican children and evaluate gender differences and predisposition to health risks.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a case-control study of 100 obese and 100 normal-weight children aged 6-12 years. BMI, waist circumference, triceps skinfold, and percentage of body fat were determined. PL fatty acids were measured by gas chromatography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to normal-weight children, obese children had significantly higher proportions of 18:0, 16:1n-7, 20:3n-6, saturated fatty acids (SFA), total highly unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs), and total n-3 but lower proportions of 18:1n-9, 18:2n-6, 22:5n-6, monounsaturated fatty acids, and total n-9. Obese children had significantly higher ratios of 20:3n-6/18:2n-6 and 18:3n-6 + 20:3n-6/18:2n-6, and they had lower ratios of 20:4n-6/20:3n-6 and n-6/n-3. The predictors positively associated with obesity, in decreasing association strength, were 16:1n-7, 20:3n-6, and SFA. Obese boys showed significantly higher 20:4n-6, 20:5n-3, 20:3n-6/18:2 n-6, 18:3n-6 + 20:3n-6/18:2n-6, and 20:5n-3/20:4n-6, higher UFAs, and lower 18:2n-6 and 22:6n-3/20:4n-6 compared to obese girls (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Significant alterations in the proportions of plasma PL fatty acids were found in obese children, especially in male subjects, which might place them in danger of early cardiovascular risk; however, an insulin-resistant state might be responsible for their fatty acid composition. More studies are needed since there are none in Mexican children.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Research Center, Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Mexico. lelizond@itesm.mx
authors.forename: Leticia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Elizondo-Montemayor
authors.forename: Mónica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Serrano-González
authors.forename: Patricia A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Ugalde-Casas
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cuello-García
authors.forename: José R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Borbolla-Escoboza
mesh_terms: D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000097:blood*; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000097:blood*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012885:Skinfold Thickness; D055105:Waist Circumference
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D010743:Phospholipids