Lipid responses to consumption of a beta-glucan containing ready-to-eat cereal in children and adolescents with mild-to-moderate primary hypercholesterolemia

This trial evaluated the efficacy of a ready-to-eat cereal containing beta-glucan, incorporated into a low saturated fat and cholesterol diet, for reducing LDL cholesterol levels in children and adolescents with mild-to-moderate primary hypercholesterolemia. Following diet lead-in and baseline assessment phases, 29 subjects (aged 6-14 years) were randomized to either control cereal or ready-to-eat cereal that provided 3 g/d of beta-glucan, for four weeks. Subjects then received the alternate product for an additional four weeks. Among subjects who were at least 80% compliant (n = 18), total and soluble dietary fiber intakes increased significantly (26.7%, p, = 0.01 and 30.8%, p = 0.02, respectively) and LDL cholesterol was reduced by a mean of 5.3% (P = 0.03). The reduction in LDL cholesterol appeared to be most pronounced (9.2%, p = 0.001) among those with body mass index below the median (25.7 kg/m(2)). Thus, consumption of a beta-glucan containing cereal modestly lowers cholesterol levels in hypercholesterolemic children and adolescents. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.