Levels of eicosapentaenoic acid in obese schoolchildren with and without insulin resistance.
BACKGROUND
Obesity in children is now an increasing health risk worldwide in which the insulin-resistance can be present. Studies have linked a diet rich in n-3 fatty acids with a lower prevalence of insulin-resistance.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the levels of eicosapentaenoic acid among obese children with and without insulin-resistance.


METHODS
In 56 randomly school-age children with obesity, insulin-resistance was determined by the homeostasis model assessment for insulin-resistance index and the serum levels of eicosapentaenoic acid were determined by gas chromatography. Insulin-resistance was established when the index was >6.0, non- insulin- resistance when that index was within the range of 1.4-5.9. The serum levels of eicosapentaenoic acid were compared with the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests, as needed.


RESULTS
No differences in age or sex were identified among the groups studied. The anthropometric parameters were significantly higher in the group of children with insulin-resistance than in the other two groups. The children with insulin- resistance had significantly lower levels of eicosapentaenoic acid than the non- insulin-resistance group [12.4% area under the curve vs. 37.4%, p = 0.031], respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Obese primary school-aged children with insulin-resistance had lower plasma levels of eicosapentaenoic acid.
Universidad de Colima, Facultad de Medicina. Av. Universidad 333, Colonia Las Víboras, Colima, Col., México. CP 28010.. carlostene1@hotmail.com.
Karmina
K
Sánchez Meza
Universidad de Colima, Facultad de Medicina. Av. Universidad 333, Colonia Las Víboras, Colima, Col., México. CP 28010.. carlostene1@hotmail.com.
Carlos Enrique
CE
Tene Pérez
Universidad de Colima, Facultad de Medicina. Av. Universidad 333, Colonia Las Víboras, Colima, Col., México. CP 28010.. carlostene1@hotmail.com.
Carmen Alicia
CA
Sánchez Ramírez
Universidad de Colima, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Kilómetro 9 carretera Colima-Coquimatlán, Col. México. CP 28400. México.. carlostene1@hotmail.com.
Roberto
R
Muñiz Valencia
Universidad de Colima, Facultad de Medicina. Av. Universidad 333, Colonia Las Víboras, Colima, Col., México. CP 28010.. carlostene1@hotmail.com.
Mario
M
Del Toro Equihua
D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000097:blood; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology; D055105:Waist Circumference
D001786:Blood Glucose; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D007328:Insulin; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid