Association of nuts and unhealthy snacks with subclinical atherosclerosis among children and adolescents with overweight and obesity
Cardiovascular Disease (CVD), Child Health
Year Published: 2019
Journal
Nutr Metab (Lond)
Authors
Aghayan M, Asghari G, Yuzbashian E, Dehghan P, Khadem Haghighian H, Mirmiran P, Javadi M
Methods
The aim of this study is to investigate the association of different snack substitution and cIMT (carotid intima-media thickness--a measure of early changes in the arteries that can predispose a person to heart disease later on) among overweight and obesity children and adolescents." The study included 339 participants aged 6-13 years that were overweight or obese. Nut consumption, including peanuts, was compared to less healthy snacks.
Key Findings
Key Findings: Intake of nuts, including peanuts, was associated with a 59% lower risk of a high cIMT compared with low consumption (less than 0.64 servings per week). When nuts were eaten instead of sweet unhealthy snacks, this also reduced risk. Authors conclude that nuts can reduce the impact of the early stages of atherosclerosis in children.
