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Clinical Studies and Practice

Association of plasma phospholipid polyunsaturated and trans fatty acids with body mass index: results from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

International Journal of Obesity volume 42, pages 433–440 (2018)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background/Objective:

Previous research has focused on associations between dietary fat and body mass index (BMI), but the contributions of different types of fat to BMI remain unclear. The purpose of this study is to estimate whether plasma phospholipid omega-3 (n−3), omega-6 (n−6) or trans fatty acids are associated with BMI at baseline and with subsequent BMI changes over time; and whether total phospholipid n−6 or trans fatty acids modify any association between phospholipid n−3 and BMI.

Methods:

Cross-sectional and longitudinal linear mixed models include 6243 participants in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) cohort. Participants were 45−84 years old, had no history of cardiovascular disease at baseline (2000−2002) and were followed for up to 10 years. Plasma phospholipid fatty acids were measured using fasting plasma samples at baseline. Fully adjusted models include demographics, health behaviors and other fatty acids (n−3, n−6 and trans) as appropriate.

Results:

In fully adjusted models, phospholipid n−3 fatty acid levels were inversely associated with baseline BMI (Ptrend <0.001). Baseline BMI was 1.14 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.71, 1.57) kg m–2 lower among participants with total n−3 values in the highest vs the lowest quartiles, but was not associated with changes in BMI. Total phospholipid n−6 was positively associated with baseline BMI in partially adjusted but not fully adjusted models. No overall association was observed between fatty acid levels and changes in BMI. No clear association was observed between trans fatty acids and baseline BMI or BMI change. No effect modification in the association between phospholipid n−3 and baseline BMI or BMI change was observed by either phospholipid n−6 or trans fatty acids.

Conclusions:

Phospholipid total and specific n−3 fatty acid levels were inversely associated with BMI at baseline, whereas associations tended to be positive for total n−6 fatty acids. Significant associations between fatty acid levels and BMI changes were not observed.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by P60MD002249 from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (to TAH); by contracts HHSN268201500003I, N01-HC-95159, N01-HC-95160, N01-HC-95161, N01-HC-95162, N01-HC-95163, N01-HC-95164, N01-HC-95165, N01-HC-95166, N01-HC-95167, N01-HC-95168 and N01-HC-95169 from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, and by grants UL1-TR-000040, UL1-TR-001079 and UL1-TR-001420 from NCATS. We thank the other investigators, the staff and the participants of the MESA study for their valuable contributions. A full list of participating MESA investigators and institutions can be found at http://www.mesa-nhlbi.org

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA

    T A Hastert

  2. Population Studies and Disparities Research Program, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, MI, USA

    T A Hastert

  3. Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    T A Hastert & A Baylin

  4. Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health, Houston, TX, USA

    M C de Oliveira Otto

  5. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    F Lê-Scherban

  6. Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    B T Steffen & M Y Tsai

  7. Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    L M Steffen & D R Jacobs Jr

  8. Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    A Baylin

  9. Department of Global Health, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    A Baylin

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  1. T A Hastert
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Correspondence to T A Hastert.

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Hastert, T., de Oliveira Otto, M., Lê-Scherban, F. et al. Association of plasma phospholipid polyunsaturated and trans fatty acids with body mass index: results from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. Int J Obes 42, 433–440 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2017.282

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