Evaluación del estado nutricional de vitamina E y lípidos en escolares cubanos de 6 a 11 años

Background: The main cause of mortality in Cuba is heart disease. Several factors in childhood and adolescence are considered as potentially influence the development of these diseases in adult life. The aim of this paper is to analyze serum levels of α tocoferol and lipids as well as factors influencing those and main food sources of fat and vitamin E in Cuban schoolchildren. Methods: The study was conducted in the first semestre of 2003 on a sample of 1225 schoolchidren attending first to sixth grade in 7 provinces (age range 6 to 11 years) for vitamin A assessment. In a subsample of 710 schoolchildren from the initial sample serum levels of α tocoferol (αTF), cholesterol (CT), triglicerides; (TG), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), total lipids and computed ratios of αTF and lipid fractions were assessed. Plasma levels of αTF were determined by HPLC. Lipidograrn was assessed by colorimetric techniques. Dietary intake was assessed by means of a food frequency questionnaire including the 8 food items which are the main sources of fat in the diet for the six month period prior to blood sample extraction. Results: Mean of αT F levels is in the range of defficient values. In the western region, 55,6% of the children had defficient αTF levels and 42% in the central region. Results of lipidogram showed significant higher levels of TG and HDL-C in the central region. Variables explaining results of αTF levels were higher concentrations of CT and the region of procedence. School children living in the central region had higher levels of αTF compared to those living in the western region. Carbohydrate intake was above 70% of total energy intake and fat intake was below 20%. Conclusion: Several studies suggest that biochemi cal predictors of atheroclerosis such as low HDL-c levels, can be in early childhood good predictors of future levels. αTF is an additional factor which should be considered in children nutrition.