A 4-month Intervention of Antioxidant Supplementation in Overweight Children

In obese children, low antioxidant vitamin intake and reduced antioxidant capacity are common. Weight reduction reduces subclinical inflammation in obese subjects, and, similarly, antioxidant vitamins have been shown to reduce the expression of proinflammatory cytokines. Moreover, antioxidants reduce oxidative stress which influences endothelial function and might play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of obesity-related disorders. Furthermore, overweight children and adults have a markedly increased risk for iron deficiency. The mechanism linking obesity with iron deficiency is unclear. Growing evidence suggests that the elevated inflammatory status associated with obesity increases circulating hepcidin and this contributes to iron deficiency. Weight reduction has been shown to be associated with reduced inflammation and serum hepcidin concentrations, and an improved functional iron state. Thus, reducing inflammation in obese children may improve iron metabolism and reduce their risk of iron deficiency. Therefore, positive effects on subclinical inflammation, hepcidin/iron status and metabolic risk factors in obese children during weight loss may be enhanced by supplementation with antioxidants. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of 4-month antioxidant supplementation on subclinical inflammation, hepcidin, iron status and components of the metabolic syndrome in overweight children undergoing an outpatient weight-loss program. Our hypotheses are: 1. During an outpatient weight loss program, antioxidant supplementation will reduce oxidative and inflammatory stress associated with obesity to a greater extent than weight loss alone. 2. This will have two effects, compared to weight loss alone: a.It will reduce circulating hepcidin concentrations, and improve iron status. b.It will improve metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors. Subjects The investigators plan to enroll 50 children who are participants in outpatient weight-loss programs in