title: Omega-3 index, obesity and insulin resistance in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Recent studies in adults have suggested that the plasma level of omega-3 fatty acids may be associated with weight status and abdominal adiposity, limited studies exist in paediatric populations. The present study examined the relationship between the omega-3 index, weight status and insulin resistance in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  School-age children between 5-12 years, classified as non-obese or obese on the basis of body mass index (BMI) z-scores, were examined. Fat intake was assessed using a parent reported 135-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Erythrocyte fatty acid composition was determined using gas chromatography. The Omega-3 index (O3I) was calculated by adding eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid % (weight/weight) values.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Obese children had altered erythrocyte fatty acid composition unrelated to reported dietary intake. A greater proportion of obese (BMI z-score > 2.25) children (33%) had an omega-3 index of < 4.0 (high risk) compared with non-obese children (BMI z-score < 2.25) (17%). Simultaneously, the number of children with a higher omega-3 index (6.0-8.0 lower risk) was lower in the obese (13%) versus non-obese children (25%, respectively). A moderate, but statistically significant correlation was found between O3I and fasting insulin level (r = -0.3, P = 0.03) and with homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) scores (r = -0.3, P = 0.04). CONCLUSION; The observed association between the omega-3 index, weight status and insulin resistance in children highlights the importance of omega-3 fatty acids in the prevention of obesity-related chronic diseases in later life. The results presented merits confirmation in a larger sample of obese children.
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences, University of Newcastle , Callaghan, NSW, Australia. Tracy.burrows@newcastle.edu.au
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Burrows
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Garg
mesh_terms: D050154:Adiposity; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D004032:Diet; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009517:New South Wales; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid