June 09, 2014 - Blogs
Limiting saturated fat could help people whose genetic make-up increases their chance of being obese.
In a new study, researchers from the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (USDA HNRCA) at Tufts University identified 63 gene variants related to obesity and used them to calculate a genetic risk score for obesity for more than 2,800 white, American men and women enrolled in two large studies on heart disease prevention. People with a higher genetic risk score, who also consumed more of their calories as saturated fat, were more likely to have a higher body mass index (BMI).
This isn’t the first time a saturated-fat consumption has been associated with health risks. In fact, the health perils of a diet high in saturated fats is well documented. The 2010 U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends consuming less than 10 percent of calories as saturated fats. To read more, download the free Digital Issue, “Survival Guide: Fats & Oils."
"We already know there are certain genes that interact with dietary fat and affect BMI," said senior author José M. Ordovás, Ph.D., director of the Nutrition and Genomics Laboratory, USDA HNRCA, and professor, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University. "In the current study, we analyzed dozens of variants of those genes and other genes frequently associated with obesity risk and saw that, while total fat intake was related to higher BMI, people who were genetically predisposed to obesity and ate the most saturated fat had the highest BMIs."
The findings, which account for possible confounding factors such as age, sex, and physical activity levels, are published online ahead of print in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Ordovás and colleagues hypothesize that people who have these gene variants that predispose them to obesity may be more sensitive to saturated fat, which is found mostly in fatty cuts of meats, including beef and pork, as well as butter, cheese and other high-fat dairy products.
"Little is known about the mechanisms that might explain the role of saturated fat intake in obesity," said Ordovás. "Some clinical models suggest that saturated fat might interfere with activity in the part of the brain that lets us know we're full, in addition to a few studies in people that suggest a diet high in saturated fat interferes with satiety. More research is needed to know whether those findings would also apply to gene function."
Genetic risk score could be useful in identifying people who are predisposed to obesity and could ultimately lead to personalized dietary recommendations. "If further research can clarify a relationship between obesity related genes and saturated fat, people with higher scores would have even more incentive to follow advice to limit their saturated fat intake as part of an obesity prevention strategy," Ordovás said.
Ingredient innovation is helping food product designers to create products with reduced saturated-fat content while maintaining quality. According to Dilip Nakhasi, director of innovation, Bunge North America, new technology can create saturate-sparing fats that have less saturates and virtually no trans fatty acids while maintaining functionality of typical shortening systems. The technology combines two components—the manipulation of fatty acids and added fiber ingredients. For a closer look, watch the FoodTech Toolbox video, “Saturate-Sparing Fats."
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Limiting saturated fat could help people whose genetic make-up increases their chance of being obese.
In a new study, researchers from the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (USDA HNRCA) at Tufts University identified 63 gene variants related to obesity and used them to calculate a genetic risk score for obesity for more than 2,800 white, American men and women enrolled in two large studies on heart disease prevention. People with a higher genetic risk score, who also consumed more of their calories as saturated fat, were more likely to have a higher body mass index (BMI).
This isn’t the first time a saturated-fat consumption has been associated with health risks. In fact, the health perils of a diet high in saturated fats is well documented. The 2010 U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends consuming less than 10 percent of calories as saturated fats. To read more, download the free Digital Issue, “Survival Guide: Fats & Oils."
"We already know there are certain genes that interact with dietary fat and affect BMI," said senior author José M. Ordovás, Ph.D., director of the Nutrition and Genomics Laboratory, USDA HNRCA, and professor, Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University. "In the current study, we analyzed dozens of variants of those genes and other genes frequently associated with obesity risk and saw that, while total fat intake was related to higher BMI, people who were genetically predisposed to obesity and ate the most saturated fat had the highest BMIs."
The findings, which account for possible confounding factors such as age, sex, and physical activity levels, are published online ahead of print in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Ordovás and colleagues hypothesize that people who have these gene variants that predispose them to obesity may be more sensitive to saturated fat, which is found mostly in fatty cuts of meats, including beef and pork, as well as butter, cheese and other high-fat dairy products.
"Little is known about the mechanisms that might explain the role of saturated fat intake in obesity," said Ordovás. "Some clinical models suggest that saturated fat might interfere with activity in the part of the brain that lets us know we're full, in addition to a few studies in people that suggest a diet high in saturated fat interferes with satiety. More research is needed to know whether those findings would also apply to gene function."
Genetic risk score could be useful in identifying people who are predisposed to obesity and could ultimately lead to personalized dietary recommendations. "If further research can clarify a relationship between obesity related genes and saturated fat, people with higher scores would have even more incentive to follow advice to limit their saturated fat intake as part of an obesity prevention strategy," Ordovás said.
Ingredient innovation is helping food product designers to create products with reduced saturated-fat content while maintaining quality. According to Dilip Nakhasi, director of innovation, Bunge North America, new technology can create saturate-sparing fats that have less saturates and virtually no trans fatty acids while maintaining functionality of typical shortening systems. The technology combines two components—the manipulation of fatty acids and added fiber ingredients. For a closer look, watch the FoodTech Toolbox video, “Saturate-Sparing Fats."
As I mentioned earlier, if you push a kid too hard, it'll backfire, so don't be a food Fascist. Instead, talk to them about good and bad choices. Find out what fruits and vegetables they like and make sure to always have those on hand. If they're old enough to know their way around a kitchen, teach them how to prepare them. Give them opportunities to make good choices and commend them when they do. Positive reinforcement can go a long way.
Getting the kids off the couch (or away from their phones) is the other challenge. For the most part, children have insane metabolisms. And when they're doing strenuous exercise, their ability to burn calories skyrockets. According to Dr. Sears, the average 70-pound child burns about 2,000 calories a day. If they're active, that goes up to about 2,300–2,500. That's a lot of food! If your child is overweight, there's just no need to formulate a calorie restriction.