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Observational Study
. 2020 Nov 10;12(11):3446.
doi: 10.3390/nu12113446.

Fatty Acid Profile of Mature Red Blood Cell Membranes and Dietary Intake as a New Approach to Characterize Children with Overweight and Obesity

Iker Jauregibeitia  1 , Kevin Portune  1 , Itxaso Rica  2 , Itziar Tueros  1 , Olaia Velasco  2 , Gema Grau  2 , Nerea Trebolazabala  2 , Luis Castaño  2 , Anna Vita Larocca  3 , Carla Ferreri  4 , Sara Arranz  1
Affiliations
Observational Study

Fatty Acid Profile of Mature Red Blood Cell Membranes and Dietary Intake as a New Approach to Characterize Children with Overweight and Obesity

Iker Jauregibeitia et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Obesity is a chronic metabolic disease of high complexity and of multifactorial origin. Understanding the effects of nutrition on childhood obesity metabolism remains a challenge. The aim of this study was to determine the fatty acid (FA) profile of red blood cell (RBC) membranes as a comprehensive biomarker of children's obesity metabolism, together with the evaluation of their dietary intake. An observational study was carried out on 209 children (107 healthy controls, 41 who were overweight and 61 with obesity) between 6 and 16 years of age. Mature RBC membrane phospholipids were analyzed for FA composition by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Dietary habits were evaluated using validated food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) and the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for children (KIDMED) test. Compared to children with normal weight, children with obesity showed an inflammatory profile in mature RBC FAs, evidenced by higher levels of ω-6 polyunsaturated FAs (mainly arachidonic acid, p < 0.001). Children who were overweight or obese presented lower levels of monounsaturated FA (MUFA) compared to children with normal weight (p = 0.001 and p = 0.03, respectively), resulting in an increased saturated fatty acid (SFA)/MUFA ratio. A lower intake of nuts was observed for children with obesity. A comprehensive membrane lipidomic profile approach in children with obesity will contribute to a better understanding of the metabolic differences present in these individuals.

Keywords: childhood obesity; inflammation; membrane lipidome; omega-6 fatty acids; red blood cell.

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Conflict of interest statement

C.F. is Scientific Director and cofounder of Lipinutragen srl. born as spin-off company of the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche in Bologna (Italy).

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