TABLE 1.
Description of baseline and lifestyle characteristics in relation to median plasma proportions of VLC n–3 PUFAs at 8 and 16 y in the study population1
| Variables | Low2 ∑VLC n–3 PUFAs (<4.41%) (n = 416) | High2 ∑VLC n–3 PUFAs (≥4.41%) (n = 415) | P value3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male sex (n = 831) | 190 (45.7) | 176 (42.4) | 0.34 |
| Living area at birth (n = 827) | |||
| Urban4 | 105 (25.4) | 165 (39.9) | |
| Suburban4 | 308 (74.6) | 249 (60.1) | <0.001 |
| Parental professional worker at baseline (n = 826) | 349 (84.7) | 379 (91.6) | 0.002 |
| Maternal overweight in early pregnancy (n = 811) | 83 (20.5) | 85 (20.9) | 0.88 |
| Maternal smoking in pregnancy and/or infancy (n = 830) | 56 (13.5) | 38 (9.2) | 0.049 |
| Parental origin outside Scandinavia (n = 831) | 69 (16.6) | 64 (15.4) | 0.65 |
| FADS genotype (n = 762), GA/GG (rs1535) | 268 (70.0) | 214 (56.5) | <0.001 |
| Breastfeeding (n = 816), ≥4 mo | 324 (79.6) | 332 (81.2) | 0.57 |
| Fish intake at 1 y (n = 816), ≥2 times/mo | 327 (80.3) | 332 (81.2) | 0.76 |
| Fish intake at 8 y (n = 831), ≥2 times/wk | 146 (35.1) | 187 (45.1) | 0.003 |
| Fish intake at 16 y (n = 830), ≥1–2 times/wk | 252 (60.6) | 327 (79.0) | <0.001 |
| ω-3 supplements at 16 y5 (n = 718) | 18 (5.1) | 25 (6.9) | 0.31 |
| Smoking at 16 y6 (n = 831) | 48 (11.5) | 40 (9.6) | 0.37 |
| Smoking at 24 y6 (n = 830) | 97 (23.3) | 77 (18.6) | 0.10 |
| Overweight at 8 y (n = 831) | 75 (18.0) | 95 (22.9) | 0.08 |
| Overweight at 16 y (n = 829) | 66 (15.9) | 69 (16.7) | 0.77 |
| Overweight at 24 y (n = 686) | 93 (27.1) | 71 (20.7) | 0.049 |
| High physical activity at 16 y7 (n = 808) | 284 (69.8) | 295 (73.6) | 0.23 |
| High physical activity at 24 y7 (n = 680) | 192 (55.5) | 193 (57.8) | 0.55 |
Study population, n = 831. Values are n (%) unless indicated otherwise. Differences between groups with high and low levels were tested by the chi-square test. FADS, fatty acid desaturase; ∑VLC n–3 PUFAs, sum of very-long-chain n–3 PUFAs [EPA (20:5n–3), docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n–3), and DHA (22:6n–3)].
Low and high categories were defined by the median value (4.41%).
P value obtained by the chi-square test.
Urban: central parts of Stockholm (Norrmalm); suburban: northwestern parts of Stockholm county (the municipalities Järfälla, Solna, and Sundbyberg).
Everyday users.
Daily or occasional smoking.
Levels of physical activity according to International Physical Activity Questionnaire guidelines at the time of the questionnaire at 24 y. High: ≥7 h/wk of moderate to vigorous activity or ≥3.5 h/wk of vigorous activity.