title: The effects of synbiotic supplementation on some cardio-metabolic risk factors in overweight and obese children: a randomized triple-masked controlled trial.
abstract: Recent studies have suggested some beneficial effects of probiotics on controlling excess weight in adults; such experience is limited in the pediatric age group. This study aimed to assess the anti-obesity and lipid-lowering effects of a synbiotic supplement among children and adolescents. We conducted a randomized triple-masked controlled trial among 70 participants aged 6-18 years with body mass index (BMI) equal or higher than 85th percentile. They were randomly assigned to two groups of equal number to receive synbiotic or placebo for 8 weeks. At the end of the trial, decrease in BMI Z-score, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio were significantly higher in the synbiotic group than in the placebo group. Likewise, synbiotic group had significant decrease in serum triglycerides, total- and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels. The beneficial effects of a synbiotic supplement on controlling excess weight and some cardio-metabolic risk factors among children and adolescents can be considered in clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Morteza
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Safavi
authors.forename: Sanam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Farajian
authors.forename: Roya
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kelishadi
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mirlohi
authors.forename: Mahin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hashemipour
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D041923:Adolescent Development; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D050177:Overweight / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D058616:Synbiotics / Q000009:adverse effects; D055105:Waist Circumference; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio
chemical_list: D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D008055:Lipids