A1 Journal article (refereed)
Evidence for protein leverage in a general population sample of children and adolescents (2023)


Saner, C., Senior, A. M., Zhang, H., Eloranta, A.-M., Magnussen, C. G., Sabin, M. A., Juonala, M., Janner, M., Burgner, D. P., Schwab, U., Haapala, E. A., Heitmann, B. L., Simpson, S. J., Raubenheimer, D., & Lakka, T. A. (2023). Evidence for protein leverage in a general population sample of children and adolescents. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 77(6), 652-659. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-023-01276-w


JYU authors or editors


Publication details

All authors or editors: Saner, Christoph; Senior, Alistair M.; Zhang, Hanyue; Eloranta, Aino-Maija; Magnussen, Costan G.; Sabin, Matthew A.; Juonala, Markus; Janner, Marco; Burgner, David P.; Schwab, Ursula; et al.

Journal or series: European Journal of Clinical Nutrition

ISSN: 0954-3007

eISSN: 1476-5640

Publication year: 2023

Publication date: 16/02/2023

Volume: 77

Issue number: 6

Pages range: 652-659

Publisher: Nature Publishing Group

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-023-01276-w

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/85971

Publication is parallel published: https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/178896


Abstract

Background/objectives: The strong regulation of protein intake can lead to overconsumption of total energy on diets with a low proportion of energy from protein, a process referred to as protein leverage. The protein leverage hypothesis posits that protein leverage explains variation in energy intake and potentially obesity in ecological settings. Here, we tested for protein leverage and the protein leverage hypothesis in children and adolescents.

Subjects/methods: A population sample of children, mean (SD) age 7.6 (0.4) years (n = 422), followed up at age 9.8 (0.4) years (n = 387) and at age 15.8 (0.4) years (n = 229), participating for the Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children (PANIC) study.

Exposures: 4-day food records-related proportional energy intake of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.

Outcomes: energy intake, body mass index (BMI) z-score and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry-related energy expenditure.

Results: Proportional energy intake of proteins was inversely associated with energy intake following power functions at all 3 ages (mean [95%CI] strength of leverage of L = -0.36 [-0.47 to -0.25]; L = -0.26 [-0.37 to -0.15]; L = -0.25 [-0.38 to -0.13]; all P < 0.001). Mixture analysis indicated that variance in energy intake was associated primarily with the proportional intake of energy from proteins, not with either fats or carbohydrates. At all 3 ages, energy intake was not associated with BMI z-score but positively associated with energy expenditure (all P < 0.001).

Conclusions: This study provides evidence consistent with protein leverage in a population sample of children and adolescents. Increased energy intake on diets with lower protein content was counterbalanced by increased energy expenditure and therefore did not translate into increased adiposity.


Keywords: dietetics; nutrients (animals and humans); proteins; energy intake; energy consumption (metabolism); body composition; children (age groups); young people


Contributing organizations


Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2023

JUFO rating: 1


Last updated on 2024-12-10 at 16:46