Introduction: Hyperuricemia is related to health issues among children and adolescents, once the uric acid concentration is associated with metabolic syndrome, hypertension, insulin resistance, obesity, and dyslipidemia. However, few studies are addressing uric acid levels and food uptake in this age group.
Aim: To verify the association between food consumption and uric acid in children and adolescents.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional study developed with 2335 children and adolescents of both genders aged 6-17 years old. Blood collection was performed after 12 h of fasting. Uric acid values were classified according to tertiles, in which the highest tertile was considered as hyperuricemia. Food consumption was evaluated by weekly consumption frequency questionnaire. Pearson correlation and logistic binary regressions were used for statistical analysis. Models were adjusted for age, systolic blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), and skin color/ethnicity.
Results: It was found an association between red meat consumption and hyperuricemia only in boys in the crude model (OR = 1.56; 95% CI 1.12; 2.18). Also, there was an association between pasta (OR = 1.52; 95% CI 1.11; 2.10) with hyperuricemia in boys, when adjusted age, systolic blood pressure, BMI, and skin color/ethnicity.
Conclusion: The knowledge of food patterns which are predisposing factors for the increase in serum uric acid levels is important for the implementation of strategies and public health policies for health promotion among children and adolescents.
Keywords: Blood pressure; Body mass index; Eating habits; School children; Uric acid.