Association of dietary fatty acid intake with hypertension in children and adolescents: evidence from the NHANES 2005–2018

• Published in: Frontiers in pediatrics 2023-09, Vol.11, p.1185982-1185982
• Main Authors: Li, Xiumin, Qi, Fengqin, Zhao, Zhihong, Ma, Jinbang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: children and adolescents; dietary fatty acids; hypertension; NHANES; Pediatrics; polyunsaturated fatty acids
• ISSN: 2296-2360; 2296-2360
• DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1185982

AimThis study aims to evaluate the association between dietary fatty acid intake and hypertension in children and adolescents. MethodsThis cross-sectional study used data of children and adolescents aged 8-17 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2018. Dietary intake of total fat and fatty acid was evaluated via two 24-h dietary recall interviews. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess the association between fatty acid intake and hypertension, with odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) calculated. A subgroup analysis was conducted according to gender, age, and body mass index Z-score. ResultsThis study included 13,330 subjects, of which 11,614 were non-hypertensive and 1,716 were hypertensive. Higher intake of total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) was associated with significantly lower odds of hypertension (OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.74-0.97, P = 0.018). No significant associations were found between the density of total saturated fatty acid, monounsaturated fatty acids, and PUFAs and the odds of hypertension (all P > 0.05). Increased intake of omega-3 (OR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.72-0.93, P = 0.002) and omega-6 (OR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.75-0.98, P = 0.025) PUFAs, octadecatrienoic acid (OR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.72-0.93, P = 0.003), and octadecadienoic acid (OR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.75-0.98, P = 0.025) was associated with significantly lower odds of hypertension, and individuals with higher omega-6/omega-3 ratio had significantly higher odds of hypertension (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.02-1.17, P = 0.025). The density of omega-3 PUFAs (OR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.78-0.95, P = 0.004) and octadecatrienoic acid (OR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.78-0.96, P = 0.006) was inversely associated with the odds of hypertension, and the omega-6/omega-3 ratio was positively associated with the odds of hypertension (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.02-1.17, P = 0.012). ConclusionTotal PUFA intake was negatively associated with the odds of hypertension in children and adolescents. Higher intake of omega-3 and omega-6 PUFAs, octadecatrienoic acid, and octadecadienoic acid, as well as density of omega-3 PUFAs and octadecatrienoic acid, was associated with lower odds of hypertension.