# Circulating PUFAs and their associations with abdominal obesity and hyperglycaemia among vegetarians and non-vegetarians: Insights for personalised nutrition from a cross-sectional study

## TL;DR

This study finds that vegetarians and non-vegetarians have different fatty acid levels linked to obesity and high blood sugar, suggesting personalized nutrition approaches.

## Contribution

The study reveals distinct associations between PUFA profiles and metabolic risks in vegetarians versus non-vegetarians, supporting personalized dietary strategies.

## Key findings

- Vegetarians had higher LA and ALA but lower EPA, DPA, and DHA compared to non-vegetarians.
- Higher ARA was linked to hyperglycaemia in vegetarians and abdominal obesity in non-vegetarians.
- A high n-6:n-3 ratio was associated with lower hyperglycaemia risk in non-vegetarians.

## Abstract

This study explores the associations between circulating polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), abdominal obesity and hyperglycaemia among vegetarians and non-vegetarians with distinct dietary PUFA intakes, as limited evidence exists on how circulating PUFA concentrations differ between these dietary groups and relate to metabolic risks. In this cross-sectional study, serum PUFA profiles and their associations with abdominal obesity and hyperglycaemia were examined. A total of 127 vegetarians and 132 non-vegetarians from Malaysia participated in the present study. Vegetarians had higher circulating concentrations of linoleic acid (LA), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), and the n-6:n-3 PUFA ratio. They had lower concentrations of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) than non-vegetarians. Among vegetarians, higher circulating arachidonic acid (ARA) concentrations were associated with an increased risk of hyperglycaemia (odds ratio [OR]: 1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00–1.11). In non-vegetarians, higher circulating ARA was associated with a higher risk of abdominal obesity (OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.00–1.09), while lower circulating DHA was associated with a reduced odds of abdominal obesity (OR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.90–0.99). Conversely, a high circulating n-6:n-3 PUFA ratio was associated with a lower risk of hyperglycaemia (OR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.93 - 1.00) among non-vegetarians. These findings highlight distinct metabolic responses to PUFA profiles between vegetarians and non-vegetarians, suggesting the need for tailored dietary strategies to address abdominal obesity and hyperglycaemia for both groups.