CLA Helps Kids Maintain Healthy Body Weight

MADISON, Wis.A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) may help children at risk of becoming overweight or obese achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.

In a double-blind placebo study, 53 children aged 6 to 10 at risk of being overweight or obese were evaluated on the effects of Clarinol CLA (supplied by Lipid Nutrition). One group consumed chocolate milk with 3 g of Clarinol (CLA group, n=28) and one group consumed chocolate milk with 3 g sunflower oil (placebo group, n=25) once a day for six months.

The percentage change in body fat measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was smaller (P = 0.001) in the CLA group (0.5 ± 2.1%) than in the placebo group (1.3 ± 1.8%). 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%). There were no significant changes in plasma glucose, insulin, or LDL cholesterol between groups. Plasma HDL cholesterol decreased significantly more (P = 0.05) in the CLA group (5.1 ± 7.3 mg/dL) than in the placebo group (0.7 ± 8 mg/dL). Bone mineral accretion was lower (P = 0.04) in the CLA group (0.05 ± 0.03 kg) than in the placebo group (0.07 ± 0.03 kg). Reported gastrointestinal symptoms did not differ significantly between groups.