Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Metabolic changes after a hypocaloric, low-glycemic-index diet in obese children

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Journal of Endocrinological Investigation Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background: A low glycemic index (LGI) diet has been proposed as a treatment for obesity in adults; few studies have evaluated LGI diets in obese children. Aim: The purpose of the study was to compare the effects of two diets, with similar energy intakes, but different glycemic indexes in a pediatric outpatient setting. Subjects and methods: A parallel-group, randomized controlled trial was conducted, and 22 obese outpatient children with a body mass index (BMI) Z-score >2 (11 females and 11 males, BMI 28.9±2.9 kg/m2) were included in the study. Patients were randomly allocated to a hypocaloric LGI (GI: 60), or to a hypocaloric high glycemic index (HGI) diet (GI: 90). The LGI and HGI diets were almost equivalent for macronutrient composition. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were measured at baseline and after 6 months. Results: In both groups there were significant decreases in BMI, BMI Z-score, blood pressure, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Only LGI diets produced a significant decrease in waist circumference and homeostasis model assessment. Analysis of variance demonstrated that the BMI Z-score decrease from baseline values was significantly greater after the LGI diet than after the HGI diet [−0.20 (95% confidence interval (CI) −0.29 to −0.10) vs −0.34 (95%CI −0.43 to −0.24)], mean difference between groups −0.14 (95%CI −0.27 to −0.01), p<0.05). Changes in triglyceride concentrations were significantly lower in LGI as compared to HGI diet (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study demonstrates that a hypocaloric LGI diet has beneficial metabolic effects in comparison to a hypocaloric HGI diet in obese children.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Ogden CL, Carroll MD, Curtin LR, Lamb MM, Flegal KM. Prevalence of high body mass index in US children and adolescents, 2007–2008. JAMA 2010, 303: 242–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Maffeis C, Consolaro A, Cavarzere P, et al. Prevalence of over-weight and obesity in 2- to 6-year-old Italian children. Obesity 2006, 14: 765–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. August GP, Caprio S, Fennoy I, et al; Endocrine Society. Prevention and treatment of pediatric obesity: An endocrine society clinical practice guideline based on expert opinion. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2008, 93: 4576–99.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Cali AM, Caprio S. Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes in youth: an emerging epidemic disease? Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes 2008, 15: 123–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Whitaker RC, Wright JA, Pepe MS, Seidel KD, Dietz WH. Predicting obesity in young adulthood from childhood and parental obesity. N Engl J Med 1997, 337: 869–73.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Baker JL, Olsen LW, Sørensen TI. Childhood body mass index and the risk of coronary heart disease in adulthood. N Engl J Med 2007, 357: 2329–37.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Franks PW, Hanson RL, Knowler WC, Sievers ML, Bennett PH, Looker HC. Childhood obesity, other cardiovascular risk factors and premature death. N Engl J Med 2010, 362: 485–93.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Malik VS, Schulze MB, Hu FB. Intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and weight gain: a systematic review. Am J Clin Nutr 2006, 84: 274–88.

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. James J, Thomas P, Cavan D, Kerr D. Preventing childhood obesity by reducing consumption of carbonated drinks: cluster randomised controlled trial. BMJ 2004, 328: 1237.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Thomas DE, Elliott EJ, Baur L. Low glycaemic index or low glycaemic load diets for overweight and obesity. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2007, 3: CD005105.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Pawlak DB, Ebbeling CB, Ludwig DS. Should obese patients be counselled to follow a low-glycaemic index diet? Yes. Obes Rev 2002, 3: 235–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Gibson LJ, Peto J, Warren JM, dos Santos Silva I. Lack of evidence on diets for obesity for children: a systematic review. Int J Epidem 2006, 35: 1544–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Weiss R, Dziura J, Burgert TS, et al. Obesity and the metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents. N Engl J Med 2004, 350: 2362–74.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study Group. WHO Child Growth Standards based on length/height, weight and age. Acta Paediatr (Suppl) 2006, 450: 76–85.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Atkinson FS, Foster-Powell K, Brand-Miller JC. International table of glycemic index and glycemic load values: 2008. Diabetes Care 2008, 31: 2281–3.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Matthews DR, Hosker JP, Rudenski AS, Naylor BA, Treacher DF, Turner RC. Homeostasis model assessment: insulin resistance and beta-cell function from fasting plasma glucose and insulin concentrations in man. Diabetologia 1985, 28: 412–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Wolever TM, Jenkins DJ, Jenkins AL, Josse RG. The glycemic index: methodology and clinical implications. Am J Clin Nutr 1991, 54: 846–54.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Giacco R, Parillo M, Rivellese AA, et al. Long-term dietary treatment with increased amounts of fiber-rich low-glycemic index natural foods improves blood glucose control and reduces the number of hypoglycemic events in type 1 diabetic patients. Diabetes Care 2000, 23: 1461–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Brand-Miller J, Hayne S, Petocz P, Colagiuri S. Low-glycemic index diets in the management of diabetes: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Diabetes Care 2003, 26: 2261–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Raben A. Should obese patients be counselled to follow a low-glycaemic index diet? No. Obes Rev 2002, 3: 245–56.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Spieth LE, Harnish JD, Lenders CM, et al. A low-glycemic index diet in the treatment of pediatric obesity. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2002, 154: 947–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Ebbeling CB, Leidig MM, Sinclair KB, Hangen JP, Ludwig DS. A reduced-glycemic load diet in the treatment of adolescent obesity. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2003, 157: 773–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Rizkalla SW, Taghrid L, Laromiguiere M, et al. Improved plasma glucose control, whole-body glucose utilization, and lipid profile on a low-glycemic index diet in type 2 diabetic men: a randomized controlled trial. Diabetes Care 2004, 27: 1866–72.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Iannuzzi A, Licenziati MR, Vacca M, et al. Comparison of two diets of varying glycemic index on carotid subclinical atherosclerosis in obese children. Heart Vessels 2009, 24: 419–24.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, St. Anna and St. Sebastian Hospital, Caserta, Italy

    M. Parillo

  2. Department of Pediatrics, A. Cardarelli Hospital, Naples, Italy

    M. R. Licenziati, M. Vacca & D. De Marco

  3. Division of Internal Medicine, A. Cardarelli Hospital, Via A. Cardarelli 9, 80131, Naples, Italy

    A. Iannuzzi MD

Authors
  1. M. Parillo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. R. Licenziati
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. Vacca
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. D. De Marco
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. A. Iannuzzi MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. Iannuzzi MD.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Parillo, M., Licenziati, M.R., Vacca, M. et al. Metabolic changes after a hypocaloric, low-glycemic-index diet in obese children. J Endocrinol Invest 35, 629–633 (2012). https://doi.org/10.3275/7909

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.3275/7909

Key-words

Search

Navigation