Advanced Biomedical Research

Glycemic index, glycemic load and childhood obesity: A systematic review

Authors

1 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, Iran

2 Department of Pediatrics, Child Growth and Development Research Center, and School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

3 Department of Pediatrics, Child Growth and Development Research Center; Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism Diseases, Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

Background: Several evidences have been reported so far in terms of the relationship between obesity and glycemic index and glycemic load in children. However, the number of review studies that have dealt with recent findings is quite low. The purpose of present study is to review the existing evidences in this regard.
Materials and Methods: First of all, the phrases: "Glycaemic index", "Glycaemic load", "Glycemic index" OR "Glycemic load" accompanied by one of the words: "Adolescent", "Young", "Youth" "Children" OR "Child" were searched in texts of articles existing in ISI and PUBMED databases which were obtained out of 1001 articles. Among these, some articles, which reviewed the relationship of obesity with glycemic index and glycemic load, were selected. Finally, 20 articles were studied in current review study.
Results: The majority of cross-sectional studies have found children's obesity directly linked with glycemic index and glycemic load; however, cohort studies found controversial results. Also, the intervention studies indicate the negative effect of glycemic index and glycemic load on obesity in children.
Conclusion: Published evidences reported inconsistent results. It seems that existing studies are not sufficient and more studies are needed in this regard.

Keywords

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Advanced Biomedical Research
Volume 2014, January
January 2014
Pages 1-8