Perinatal & Pediatric
Diet quality components and arterial stiffness in children: evidence from a birth cohort Xuanxuan Zhu* Xuanxuan Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu Zhu NICHD
Background. Arterial stiffness is a risk factor for hypertension and eventually increases the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Arterial stiffening is a gradual process that begins early in life and progresses over time. Experts recommend that risk factors be addressed as early as childhood to slow its progression. Yet, its association with diet quality remains understudied in children. This study aimed to examine the association of diet quality components (food groups and eating behaviors) with arterial stiffness in middle childhood.
Methods. On 7- and 9-year questionnaires, mothers reported their children’s daily intake of various foods (e.g., whole wheat bread, vegetables, snacks) and weekly intake of fast food, breakfast, and multivitamins. Accordingly, the Youth Healthy Eating Index (YHEI) was calculated (0-90), with higher scores indicating better diet quality. Pulse wave velocity (PWV), a measure of arterial stiffness, was taken in duplicate using the SphygmoCor XCEL device at clinic visits at 9-10 years. Generalized linear models estimated associations, adjusting for sociodemographics, pre-pregnancy body mass index, breastfeeding duration, etc.
Results. Among 324 children with measures (mean age 9.46±0.58 years), the mean PWV was 4.39±0.86 m/s. YHEI total and component scores were not associated with PWV (Table 1). Only a crude association of a higher YHEI score in the fast-food category (reflecting lower intake) with lower PWV was observed and it attenuated after adjusting for covariates (-0.05 m/s per unit fast-food YHEI; 95% confidence interval: -0.10, 0.01). Associations were similar after additionally adjusting for obesity status at the time of dietary report (i.e., at 7-9 years, 14.23% were reported as obese).
Conclusion. Diet quality was not associated with arterial stiffness in children. Future studies are needed to explore the association in longer follow-up or in adolescence.
