[Fatty acids intake and serum lipids profile in overweighted and obese adults].

BACKGROUND

Many epidemiologic, experimental, and clinical studies have shown that the amounts and type of fat in the diet influence plasma lipid levels. Dietary fat has been shown to have a role in cardiovascular diseases.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to describe the relationship between dietary fatty acids and serum lipids in 150 overweight adults.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The examinations were performed in 150 adults, aged from 25 to 65 years with overweight and obese. Fat intakes are estimated from one 24-hour dietary recall interview. Data obtained with 24-hour questionnaire method were calculated with computer program Dieta 4. Statistical analysis was performed using a computer program Statistica.

RESULTS

Mean energy intake amounted 2579.2 +/- 786.2 kcal per day. The fat intake provided 34.6 +/- 8.5% of total energy, including saturated fatty acid--13.6% of total energy. Saturated fatty acids was not correlated with lipid profiles. Stearic acid was inversely correlated with the high-density lipoprotein. There were no signifificant associations between stearic acid and total cholesterol and plasma LDL cholesterol. Monounsaturated fat, including the oleic acid were affected lipid profiles by decreased total cholesterol and LDL-C. PUFA was correlated with decreased total cholesterol and plasma LDL cholesterol. Inverse correlation between arachidonic acid and HDL-C and between linoleic acid and LDL-C was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates that the type of fat, but not only the total amount of fat, predicts serum cholesterol and its fractions levels. The proportion of SFA, MUFA, PUFA in diet determines their effect on serum lipids profile.