In recent years, there has been increasing concern about the rising prevalence of cardiometabolic disorders among children and adolescents. According to an interview to Healio, José Francisco López-Gil, PhD from Universidad de Las Américas in Quito, Ecuador, mentioned “In 2020, metabolic syndrome was observed in approximately 3% of children and 5% of adolescents, with slight differences in prevalence among various countries and regions, which underscores the urgent need for multi sectoral interventions to improve cardiometabolic health in this population.”
In this context, the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) has garnered significant attention for its potential benefits in promoting cardiometabolic health. Characterized by the use of olive oil as the primary dietary fat, the MedDiet emphasizes the consumption of seasonal fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and nuts, while minimizing the intake of red and processed meats, ultraprocessed food, sweets, confections, and pastries. Recognizing the potential of this dietary pattern, López-Gil and colleagues conducted research published in Journal of the American Medical Association to analyze randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that have assessed MedDiet interventions among children and adolescents.
A systematic review and meta-analysis encompassing nine RCTs with a total of 577 participants (344 girls and 233 boys) was conducted to evaluate the impact of MedDiet-based interventions on cardiometabolic biomarkers in children and adolescents. The review highlighted several key findings regarding the effectiveness of MedDiet interventions on various cardiometabolic biomarkers.
One of the significant outcomes of the analysis was the impact on blood pressure. Compared to control groups, MedDiet interventions were associated with a notable reduction in systolic blood pressure (SBP) by an average of 4.75 mm Hg. This finding is particularly relevant considering that elevated blood pressure during childhood and adolescence is linked to increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in adulthood.
In terms of lipid profiles, MedDiet interventions demonstrated beneficial effects. There were significant reductions in triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), alongside an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). These changes suggest a favorable shift in lipid profiles, which is crucial given the association between dyslipidemia and the risk of developing atherosclerosis and CVD later in life.
The sensitivity analysis underscored the robustness of the main findings. When individual studies were removed, the overall results for SBP, HDL-C, and DBP remained consistent, with some variations. This indicates that the positive effects of MedDiet interventions on cardiometabolic biomarkers are generally reliable, although further research with larger sample sizes and more rigorous designs is needed.
Overall, the study concluded that MedDiet-based interventions are associated with improvements in several cardiometabolic biomarkers, including reductions in SBP, TGs, TC, and LDL-C, and an increase in HDL-C. These findings underscore the potential of the MedDiet as a valuable tool for promoting cardiometabolic health in children and adolescents.
Sources: Journal of the American Medical Association, Healio