Omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and the early origins of obesity.

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW:

The incidence of obesity and its related metabolic disorders has increased significantly over the past 3 decades, culminating in the current global epidemic of metabolic disease and leading to the search for contributing factors. Exposure of the developing foetus/neonate to a typical Western diet increases their risk of obesity and metabolic disorders throughout the life-course, creating an intergenerational cycle of metabolic disease. In Western countries, this epidemic of metabolic disease has coincided with a marked increase in the intake of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-6 PUFA), leading to suggestions that the two may be causally related.

RECENT FINDINGS:

Recent studies have emphasized the proadipogenic properties of the omega-6 PUFA, and provided evidence that rodents fed on diets with omega-6 PUFA contents similar to the typical US diet (6-8% energy) have an increased fat mass. Importantly, recent studies have shown that perinatal exposure to a high omega-6 PUFA diet results in a progressive accumulation of body fat across generations.

SUMMARY:

This review highlights the recent evidence supporting the role of the omega-6 PUFA in the early life origins of obesity and metabolic disease, the need for more clinical studies and the potential need for health agencies to re-evaluate current recommendations to further increase omega-6 PUFA intakes.

• Authors: Beverly S Muhlhausler, Gérard P Ailhaud
• Journal: Current opinion in endocrinology, diabetes, and obesity (Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes) Vol. 20 Issue 1 Pg. 56-61 (Feb 2013) ISSN: 1752-2978 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 23249760 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• Fatty Acids, Omega-6

Topics

• Adult
• Child, Preschool
• Diet (adverse effects)
• Fatty Acids, Omega-6 (adverse effects, metabolism)
• Female
• Humans
• Infant
• Infant, Newborn
• Male
• Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
• Obesity (etiology, metabolism)
• Pregnancy
• Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects (chemically induced, metabolism)