Serum phospholipid fatty acids are associated with bone mass in healthy 4-years-old children.

• Fatty acids are involved in bone development but knowledge in children is limited. The aim of this study was to investigate bone mass and mineral density in healthy preschool children in relation to fatty acids.In 111 healthy 4-yrs-old children (20% overweight) bone was analysed by dual X-ray absorptiometry and serum phospholipid fatty acid by gas chromatography. Fat intake was calculated from 7 days self-reported dietary records and food frequency questionnaire.Total bone mass content (BMC) and mineral density (BMD) differed by sex in normal weight, but not in overweight children showing generally higher bone mass density than children with normal weight. Linoleic acid intake was strongly correlated to BMC and femoral BMD in normal weight children. Serum concentration of docosahexaenoic acid correlated positively to BMD in all children (p=0.01), but linoleic and arachidonic acids, and monounsaturated fatty acids showed diverging associations with bone in normal weight and overweight children.Serum phospholipid DHA was associated with bone density. Other fatty acids associations to bone sites differed in overweight children, analogue to the pattern in healthy 8-yrs-old.The finding need to be confirmed longitudinally and in a larger group of overweight individuals.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Endokrinologi och diabetes (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Endocrinology and Diabetes (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Humans

Child

Preschool

Bone Density

Fatty Acids

Phospholipids

Overweight

Absorptiometry

Photon

Docosahexaenoic Acids

Minerals

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)