Francis, Coni2024-07-022024-07-021995-12https://hdl.handle.net/11274/16395Differences in serum lipid, lipoprotein and glucose concentrations, percent body fat and dietary intake were examined in 24 normal weight (10th-90th percentile for weight) children, aged 6-10.5 years. Twelve children were from obese biological mothers and 12 children were from normal weight biological mothers. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated for both parents and children (kg/m$\sp2$). Obesity for mothers was defined as a BMI $\geq$ 30. Normal weight for mothers was defined as a BMI of 20-25. A weight history was collected from mothers. Percent body fat of the children was measured with one whole body scan utilizing dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Extended research analysis was performed to determine percent abdominal fat. Serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, VLDL and glucose concentrations were determined and averaged from two fasting blood samples for each child. Parents completed a seven day food diary for each child prior to the first blood draw. Food diaries were analyzed for nutrient content utilizing Nutritionist IV. Body fat was 2.2% greater and abdominal fat was 3.9% greater in the children of obese mothers compared to the children of normal weight mothers. However, differences were not statistically significant due to sample size. No statistically significant differences were found in serum lipid, lipoprotein and glucose concentrations or dietary intake between the two groups of children. The weight history of the mothers revealed that 89% of obese mothers did not develop obesity until 25-35 years of age. This population of obese women may not be the most appropriate group for studying genetic aspects of obesity in their offspring. The mean BMI of fathers for both groups of children was $>$26. The heavy fathers of the children of normal weight mothers may have influenced the percent body fat of these children. Relationships between percent body fat and serum lipid, lipoprotein and glucose concentrations; and between dietary intake and serum lipid, lipoprotein and glucose concentrations between groups were examined. No strong correlations were found. However, moderate correlations varied considerably between the two groups of children. It is not clear whether the correlation variations observed were due to metabolic differences between groups.en-USLipidsBody Mass IndexGlucoseDietary intakeDissertation