Associations Between Dietary Factors and Biomarkers of Childhood and Adolescent Obesity

Overview of the Issue

Recent research conducted in Germany has investigated the connections between various dietary factors and biomarkers related to obesity in children and adolescents. The prevalence of obesity among this demographic is increasing globally, but the underlying causes remain unclear. Diet is acknowledged as a significant contributor to obesity; however, many studies have not pinpointed specific foods or nutrients linked to the condition.

The Role of Biomarkers

Biomarkers are specific substances that healthcare providers measure to assess health status. In adults, common biomarkers include C-reactive protein for inflammation and triglycerides for obesity. It is important to note that the biomarkers relevant for children and adolescents may differ from those used for adults.

Research Methodology

An article published in the Nutrition Journal details a systematic review where researchers analyzed existing studies to explore the relationship between diet and obesity biomarkers in individuals aged 3 to 18 years. The researchers conducted a comprehensive search on PubMed and the Web of Science Core Collection, identifying thousands of studies. After reviewing abstracts, they selected 81 articles that included a total of 52,764 participants. Each study was evaluated for quality on a scale from 0 to 11, with only 3.7% rated as high quality and over half (58%) categorized as low quality. Furthermore, 79% of the studies were cross-sectional, with dietary data collected through questionnaires in 38.3% of cases and food recall surveys in 37%.

Dietary Factors Linked to Biomarkers of Obesity

Key Findings from the Review

Among the 81 articles reviewed, there were 1,111 instances where diet correlated with obesity biomarkers. The most frequently associated biomarkers included systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, diastolic blood pressure, and Homeostasis Model Assessment insulin resistance. Systolic blood pressure was most commonly linked to dietary factors, with 16% of these associations deemed significant. However, the findings were inconsistent across studies, with some indicating a link while others did not.

Weak Associations Identified

The researchers further analyzed the significance of associations between dietary factors and specific biomarkers. The biomarkers with the strongest significant correlations were C-reactive protein (35.5%), fasting triglycerides (31.1%), and fasting insulin (25%). Nonetheless, most studies reported only one or two instances where a single dietary factor was linked to C-reactive protein.

Limitations of Current Research

Despite identifying some associations between dietary factors and obesity biomarkers, the researchers could not draw definitive conclusions. Many studies relied on self-reported dietary intake from participants or parents, which often leads to underreporting of unhealthy foods. Additionally, parents may lack visibility into their children’s consumption while at school, which could result in inaccuracies. The selected biomarkers may not have been ideal, as hormonal changes during adolescence can affect the outcomes.

Future Directions for Research

To enhance understanding of childhood and adolescent obesity and its dietary contributors, further research is needed to identify the most appropriate biomarkers for this age group. Additionally, employing effective dietary data collection methods and conducting long-term studies will be crucial in developing clearer insights.

Author Information

Written by Monica Naatey-Ahumah, BSc

Reference

Bosle, C., Motoc, I., and Hoffmann, K. (2017). Associations between dietary factors and obesity-related biomarkers in healthy children and adolescents – a systematic review. Nutrition Journal, 16(85). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-017-0300-3