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Childhood Nutrition in Predicting Metabolic Syndrome in Adults: The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 13:13 authored by Jaaskelainen, P, Costan Magnussen, Pahkala, K, Mikkila, V, Kahonen, M, Sabin, MA, Fogelholm, M, Hutri-Kahonen, N, Taittonen, L, Telama, R, Laitinen, T, Jokinen, E, Lehtimaki, T, Viikari, JSA, Raitakari, OT, Juonala, M
OBJECTIVE Our aim was to study the associations of childhood lifestyle factors (the frequency of consumption of vegetables, fruit, fish, and meat, butter use on bread, and physical activity) with the metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adulthood. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS The study cohort consisted of 2,128 individuals, 3-18 years of age at the baseline, with a follow-up time of 27 years. We used the average of lifestyle factor measurements taken in 1980, 1983, and 1986 in the analyses. Childhood dietary factors and physical activity were assessed by self-reported questionnaires, and a harmonized definition of MetS was used as the adult outcome. RESULTS Childhood vegetable consumption frequency was inversely associated with adult MetS (odds ratio [OR] 0.86 [95% CI 0.77-0.97], P = 0.02) in a multivariable analysis adjusted with age, sex, childhood metabolic risk factors (lipids, systolic blood pressure, insulin, BMI, and C-reactive protein), family history of type 2 diabetes and hypertension, and socioeconomic status. The association remained even after adjustment for adulthood vegetable consumption. Associations with the other childhood lifestyle factors were not found. Of the individual components of MetS, decreased frequency of childhood vegetable consumption predicted high blood pressure (0.88 [0.80-0.98], P = 0.01) and a high triglyceride value (0.88 [0.79-0.99], P = 0.03) after adjustment for the above-mentioned risk factors. CONCLUSIONS Childhood vegetable consumption frequency is inversely associated with MetS in adulthood. Our findings suggest that a higher intake of vegetables in childhood may have a protective effect on MetS in adulthood.

History

Publication title

Diabetes Care

Volume

35

Issue

9

Pagination

1937-1943

ISSN

0149-5992

Department/School

Menzies Institute for Medical Research

Publisher

Amer Diabetes Assoc

Place of publication

1701 N Beauregard St, Alexandria, USA, Va, 22311-1717

Rights statement

Copyright 2012 American Diabetes Association.

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Clinical health not elsewhere classified

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