Journal of Isfahan Medical School

Journal of Isfahan Medical School

The Association between Dietary Glycemic Index, Glycemic Load and Children Obesity: A Review of Published Papers

Document Type : Review Article

Authors
Seyed Mohammad Hossein Rouhani 1
Mahin Hashemipour 2
Roya Kelishadi 2
Ahmad Esmaillzadeh 3
Leila Azadbakht 3
1 MSc Student, Student Research Committee, Department of Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
2 Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Child Health Promotion Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
3 Associate Professor, Food Security Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences and Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Ira
Abstract
Background: Many studies were conducted to evaluate the association between dietary glycemic index, glycemic load and children obesity. The aim of this study was to review these studies.Methods: We searched the ISI and PubMed databases for studies that evaluated the association between dietary glycemic index, glycemic load and obesity in children. At first, the studies containing the words "glycemic index", "glycemic load", "glycaemic index" or "glycaemic load" plus "child", "children", "young", "youth" or "adolescent" were selected. Among 1001 selected studies, articles were accepted if they had considered obesity or related factors as their main dependent variables.Findings: Twenty studies were included. Although the cross-sectional results were inconsistent, stronger studies had found a direct relation between dietary glycemic index, glycemic load and children obesity. Cohort studies had shown positive, neutral and negative associations between these dietary factors and obesity in children. However, although most clinical trials had reported a positive effect of dietary glycemic index on childhood obesity, they had not shown the similar effect for glycemic load.  Conclusion: There is not enough evidence for making a certain conclusion. Therefore, further studies in this field are suggested. 
Keywords
Glycemic index
Glycemic load
Obesity
Children
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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 29, Issue 166 - Serial Number 166
November and December 2012
Pages 2340-2358

  • Receive Date 20 September 2011
  • Accept Date 06 April 2022