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Energy intake may help explain children’s risk for type 2 diabetes
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Higher total energy intake was significantly associated with increased levels of insulin resistance, which may explain the rise in risk for type 2 diabetes among children, according to data published in Diabetes Care.
“The results of the current study suggest that high energy intake rather than specific macro and micronutrient intakes are associated with type 2 diabetes risk markers in children,” Angela S. Donin, PhD, of the division of population health sciences and education at St. George’s University of London, and colleagues wrote. “The associations between energy intake and type 2 diabetes risk markers show a clear graded relationship and could feasibly be causal.”
The cross-sectional study of 2,017 children aged 9 to 10 years (of white European, South Asian and black African-Caribbean descent) was based on the Child Heart and Health Study in England (CHASE). Researchers measured body composition, fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, serum insulin and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) insulin.
They found that energy intake was significantly associated with insulin resistance. This resistance, besides changes in glucose and BMI, was more prevalent among 176 patients with very high (n=18; 1%) or low (n=158; 8%) energy intake, researchers wrote.
Further data indicate energy density was linked to insulin resistance and changes to BMI.
“Compared with white Europeans and excluding implausible reporters, energy intake was 110 kcals (95% CI, 51-170) higher among South Asians (P<.001) and 45 kcals (95% CI, –14 to 103) higher among black African-Caribbean children (P=.13),” researchers wrote.
However, individual intake did not demonstrate an association between type 2 diabetes risk markers and energy intake, they added.
“In light of the findings of the current research, intervention studies examining the effects of reducing energy intake in children on type 2 diabetes risk markers are warranted,” researchers wrote.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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