ASSOCIATION OF NUTS SUBSTITUTION FOR SALTY AND SWEET SNACKS WITH SUBCLINICAL ATHEROSCLEROSIS AMONG CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY

Background and Aim: The process of atherosclerosis begins early in childhood and usually remains asymptomatic until later in life. Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) as a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis, could identify early vascular alterations. Unhealthy snacks consumption is associated with obesity and other CVD risk factors in children and adolescents. The aim of this study is to investigate the association of different snack substitution and cIMT among overweight and obesity children and adolescents.Methods: A total of 339 participants aged 6 to 13 years with the body mass index Z score ≥2 based on WHO criteria enrolled in this study. We measured food intakes of participants by validate and reliable food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Carotid intima media thickness was measured in the common carotid artery with high-resolution ultrasonography.Results: After controlling for confounders, one SD increase in intake of nuts decrease the cIMT by 0.126 mm (P value = 0.019). Moreover, participants in the last tertile of nuts intake had 63% lower risk of high cIMT in comparison with those who consumed less than 1.74 serving/wk of nuts (P for trend = 0.006). When nuts intake substituted for the sweet unhealthy snacks the cIMT decreased by 0.15 mm. There was no other significant association between energy-dense nutrient-poor solid snacks and cIMT.Conclusion: Our findings emphasize the impact of nuts consumption as a healthy snack on subclinical stages atherosclerosis. Clinical trial studies could examine the effect of different kinds of nuts consumption on cIMT and complications of CVD risk factors.

Keywords:

Nuts , Snacks , substitution , cIMT , Atherosclerosis