The effects of synbiotic supplementation on some cardio-metabolic risk factors in overweight and obese children: a randomized triple-masked controlled trial

Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2013 Sep;64(6):687-93. doi: 10.3109/09637486.2013.775224. Epub 2013 Mar 12.

Abstract

Recent studies have suggested some beneficial effects of probiotics on controlling excess weight in adults; such experience is limited in the pediatric age group. This study aimed to assess the anti-obesity and lipid-lowering effects of a synbiotic supplement among children and adolescents. We conducted a randomized triple-masked controlled trial among 70 participants aged 6-18 years with body mass index (BMI) equal or higher than 85th percentile. They were randomly assigned to two groups of equal number to receive synbiotic or placebo for 8 weeks. At the end of the trial, decrease in BMI Z-score, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio were significantly higher in the synbiotic group than in the placebo group. Likewise, synbiotic group had significant decrease in serum triglycerides, total- and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels. The beneficial effects of a synbiotic supplement on controlling excess weight and some cardio-metabolic risk factors among children and adolescents can be considered in clinical practice.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Development
  • Anti-Obesity Agents / adverse effects
  • Anti-Obesity Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Body Mass Index
  • Child
  • Child Development
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperlipidemias / epidemiology
  • Hyperlipidemias / etiology
  • Hyperlipidemias / prevention & control*
  • Hypolipidemic Agents / adverse effects
  • Hypolipidemic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Iran / epidemiology
  • Lipids / blood
  • Male
  • Metabolic Syndrome / epidemiology
  • Metabolic Syndrome / etiology
  • Metabolic Syndrome / prevention & control*
  • Obesity / blood
  • Obesity / diet therapy*
  • Obesity / physiopathology
  • Overweight / blood
  • Overweight / diet therapy*
  • Overweight / physiopathology
  • Risk Factors
  • Synbiotics* / adverse effects
  • Waist Circumference
  • Waist-Hip Ratio

Substances

  • Anti-Obesity Agents
  • Hypolipidemic Agents
  • Lipids