Relationships between diet and serum fatty acids among preschool children

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlations between serum fatty acids and nutrient intake, including crude fiber, dietary cholesterol, and dietary fatty acids, as well as with anthropometry of preschool children. Forty-three preschool children, aged from 36 to 83 months with a mean age of 63 ± 11 months were included in this study from July to August 1999. Children's height and weight were measured, the body mass index(BMI) and weight for length index(WLI) were calculated, and blood samples were taken for lipid profiles and fatty acids analyses. Three-day food intake records were used to analyze the nutrient intake of the 43 preschool children. Means of the preschool children's dietary intake were as follows: calorie content was 1577 ± 315 kcal; protein was 61 ± 18 g, accounting for 15.4% of total calories; fat was 56 ± 19 g, accounting for 32% of total calories; crude fiber intake was 6.0 ± 4.4 g; and dietary cholesterol intake was 260 ± 104 mg. There was a positive association between crude fiber intake and serum polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)after adjusting for sex, age, BMI, percentage of total calories from fat, dietary cholesterol, and dietary oleic acid. A negative association was observed between crude fiber intake and serum saturated fatty acids as well as serum monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) after adjusting for sex, age, BMI, percentage of total calorie from fat, dietary cholesterol, and dietary oleic acid. These data implied that fiber intake may affect the composition of serum fatty acids.