Effect of conjugated linoleic acid on body fat accretion in overweight or obese children

Racine NM, Watras AC, Carrel AL, Allen DB

Published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Methodology

7-month randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of 3 g/day 80% CLA versus placebo in chocolate milk, with DXA body composition

Key Findings

CLA attenuated BMI gain and reduced percentage body fat and abdominal fat versus placebo, but HDL cholesterol fell more and bone mineral accretion was lower in the CLA group.

Conclusions

CLA modestly reduced fat accretion in children but with unfavourable HDL and bone effects.

Limitations

Paediatric population limits generalisability to adults, small sample, adverse lipid and bone signals.

Supplements Studied

CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid)

Fatty Acid

decreased HDL more than in the placebo group

Outcomes Measured

Belly Fat Reduction

The change in abdominal body fat as a percentage of total body weight was smaller (P = 0.02) in the CLA group (-0.09 +/- 0.9%) than in the placebo group (0.43 +/- 0.6%).

Weight Loss Support

decreased body fatness in 6-10-y-old children

Cholesterol Management

did not improve plasma lipids or glucose and decreased HDL more than in the placebo group