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Nutrition Epidemiology Highlights Original Article

Omega-3 index levels and associated factors in a middle-aged French population: the MONA LISA-NUT Study

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 69, pages 436–441 (2015)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background/Objectives:

The omega-3 index (the summed percentage content of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids in red blood cells) is associated with a lower risk of fatal coronary heart disease and sudden cardiac death. We aimed to determine which socio-demographic, behavioural or clinical factors are independently associated with the omega-3 index and the extent to which seafood consumption mediates the index’s association with socio-economic status (SES).

Subjects/Methods:

As part of the cross-sectional MONA LISA-NUT survey (2005–2007), gas chromatography was used to analyse the red blood cell fatty acid composition in 503 French subjects aged 35–64 years. Dietary data were collected by trained dieticians via a validated food frequency questionnaire and a prospective 3-day food record. Risk factors were estimated with standardised measurements and questionnaires. SES was assessed through the self-reported educational and income tax levels.

Results:

The mean±s.d. omega-3 index was 6.02±1.75%. In the best parsimonious predictive model (which explained 32% of the variability in the omega-3 index), age, educational level and seafood servings were significantly and positively associated with the index. In contrast, waist circumference and smoking were inversely associated with the index. In a mediation analysis that took account of all these factors, seafood servings explained about 40% of the association between educational level and the omega-3 index. Similar results were obtained for the income tax level.

Conclusions:

The inverse association between SES and omega-3 index is largely explained (40%) by an insufficient seafood intake. It remains to be seen which other factors mediate this association.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the nurses, physicians, dieticians, computer scientists and secretaries and the Centre de Médecine Préventive de Lille, the Laboratoire d’Analyses Génomiques and the Service de Biologie Spécialisée de l’Institut Pasteur de Lille, the Centre de Santé de la MGEN de Strasbourg, the Unité de Coordination de la Biologie des Essais Cliniques des Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, the Departments of Cardiology of the Toulouse University Hospital and the Human Nutrition Unit of Clermont-Ferrand, whose technicians from the CHLEO team have carried out the GC analyses. The MONA LISA Study was made possible by an unrestricted grant of Pfizer and by a grant from ANR (ANR-05-PNRA-018). Pfizer and ANR had no role in the design, analysis or writing of this article.

Author Contributions

AW, CS, JD, JBR, DC, JF and DA designed the study or were involved in the study management; BM and BL were involved in the assessment of the fatty acid composition in red blood cell membranes; AW drafted the manuscript and performed the analyses. All authors contributed to the interpretation of the data and critically reviewed the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, EA 3430, FMTS, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France

    A Wagner, B Haas & D Arveiler

  2. CarMen, INSERM 1060/University Lyon 1, INRA U1235, CRNH Rhônes-Alpes, Lyon, France

    C Simon

  3. Department of Human Nutrition, Clermont University, University of Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France

    B Morio & B Laillet

  4. INRA, UMR 1019, UNH, CRNH Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France

    B Morio & B Laillet

  5. Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, INSERM U744, Lille Pasteur Institute, University Lille Nord-de France, Lille, France

    J Dallongeville & D Cottel

  6. Department of Epidemiology, INSERM UMR 1027, University Paul Sabatier of Toulouse, Toulouse, France

    J B Ruidavets & J Ferrières

Authors
  1. A Wagner
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Correspondence to A Wagner.

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Wagner, A., Simon, C., Morio, B. et al. Omega-3 index levels and associated factors in a middle-aged French population: the MONA LISA-NUT Study. Eur J Clin Nutr 69, 436–441 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2014.219

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