Title
Nutrigenetics in early childhood: From cholesterol screening to personalized dietary recommendations - a longitudinal study
Acronym
NUTRIGENKIDS
Code
IP-UNIN-BIOTEH-2025-3
Coordinator
Sveučilište Sjever
Ammount
57400 EUR
Project duration
21.10.2025 – 30.09.2029
Summary
The main objective of this study is to examine the frequency of elevated cholesterol levels in preschool children and to analyze the possible association with genetic predisposition using nutrigenetic testing. Recently, there has been an increase in cardiovascular risk factors in an increasingly younger population, and dyslipidemia, especially elevated cholesterol, represents an important health problem. The study includes collecting data on the levels of total cholesterol, LDL and HDL cholesterol, as well as triglycerides, in a sample of preschool children. In addition, an analysis of certain genetic variants associated with lipid metabolism is being conducted to determine whether there is a link between genetic markers and the presence of elevated cholesterol levels. The goal is to identify children with a potentially increased genetic risk for dyslipidemia, which could enable early intervention through dietary and lifestyle habits, as well as monitoring through further pediatric and preventive programs. The results of this study could contribute to a better understanding of the influence of genetics on the lipid profile of children and improve an individualized approach to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases from an early age.
Leader
izv. prof. dr. sc. Natalija Uršulin-Trstenjak
Collaborators
doc. dr. sc. Melita Sajko
dr. sc. Ivana Dodlek Šarkanj
dr.sc. Mihaela Kranjčević-Ščurić
doc. dr. sc. Irena Canjuga
Valentina Novak
Publications
-
Equipment
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Sveučilište Sjever
Sveučilišni centar Koprivnica
Trg dr. Žarka Dolinara 1
48000 Koprivnica
Sveučilišni centar Varaždin
Jurja Križanića 31b
42000 Varaždin