Zinc, iron and vitamins A, C and e are associated with obesity, inflammation, lipid profile and insulin resistance in Mexican school-aged children

Nutrients. 2013 Dec 10;5(12):5012-30. doi: 10.3390/nu5125012.

Abstract

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the relationship between micronutrient status and obesity, lipids, insulin resistance and chronic inflammation in children. Weight, height, waist circumference and body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)) were determined in 197 school-aged children. Lipids, glucose, insulin, C-reactive protein (CRP), zinc, iron and vitamins A, C and E were analyzed in blood. Vitamin C and vitamin E:lipids were negatively associated with Body Mass Index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WHR) and body and abdominal fat (p < 0.05). Vitamin A was positively associated with BMI, BMI-for-age, WHR and abdominal fat (p < 0.05). Iron and vitamin E:lipids were negatively associated with insulin (p < 0.05). Vitamins A, C and E and iron were negatively associated with CRP (p < 0.05). Interaction analysis showed that children who were overweight and obese who also had low concentrations of vitamin A had higher CRP and lower triglycerides (p < 0.1), children with low vitamin E had significantly lower glucose and triglycerides (p < 0.1) and higher low-density lipoprotein (LDL) concentrations (p < 0.05), and children with low zinc concentrations had higher insulin resistance compared with children with adequate weight (p < 0.05). In conclusion, low vitamin C concentration and vitamin E:lipids were associated with obesity. Furthermore, low concentrations of zinc, vitamins A and E in children who were overweight and obese were associated with lipids, inflammation and insulin resistance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Ascorbic Acid / administration & dosage
  • Ascorbic Acid / blood*
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Body Composition
  • Body Mass Index
  • Body Weight
  • C-Reactive Protein / metabolism
  • Child
  • Cholesterol, HDL / blood
  • Cholesterol, LDL / blood
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / blood
  • Inflammation / epidemiology
  • Insulin / blood
  • Insulin Resistance*
  • Iron, Dietary / administration & dosage
  • Iron, Dietary / blood*
  • Male
  • Mexico / epidemiology
  • Micronutrients / administration & dosage
  • Micronutrients / blood
  • Micronutrients / deficiency
  • Motor Activity
  • Nutrition Assessment
  • Pediatric Obesity / blood*
  • Pediatric Obesity / epidemiology
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Triglycerides / blood
  • Vitamin D / administration & dosage
  • Vitamin D / blood*
  • Waist Circumference
  • Zinc / administration & dosage
  • Zinc / blood*

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Insulin
  • Iron, Dietary
  • Micronutrients
  • Triglycerides
  • Vitamin D
  • C-Reactive Protein
  • Zinc
  • Ascorbic Acid