Plasman-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are negatively associated with obesity

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to investigate the relationship between plasman-3 PUFA composition and weight status. A total of 124 adults, stratified by weight status: healthy weight (n21), overweight (n40) and obese (n63) were recruited. Fasting blood samples, anthropometric measures and body composition were collected. Plasma fatty acid composition was determined by GC. BMI, waist circumference and hip circumference were inversely correlated withn-3 PUFA, EPA and DHA (P < 0·05 for all) in the obese group. Obese individuals had significantly lower plasma concentrations of totaln-3 PUFA, compared with healthy-weight individuals (4·53 (sd1·11)v.5·25 (sd1·43) %). When subjects were pooled and stratified into quartiles of totaln-3 PUFA, a significant inverse trend was found for BMI (P = 0·002), waist circumference and hip circumference (P = 0·01 andP < 0·001 respectively). Higher plasma levels of totaln-3 PUFA are associated with a healthier BMI, waist circumference and hip circumference. Our findings suggest thatn-3 PUFA may play an important role in weight status and abdominal adiposity.