(gamma)-Tocopherol as a possible marker for nutritionrelated risk: results from four National Diet and Nutrition Surveys in Britain

Relationships between vitamin E status ((gamma)-tocopherol and their ratio in plasma), anthropometric and biochemical indices, and food and nutrient intakes, were studied in four British National Diet and Nutrition Surveys: children aged 1·5–4·5 years, young people aged 4·0–18·0 years, adults 19·0–64·0 years and adults aged (gamma)-Tocopherol:(gamma)tocopherol and (alpha)-tocopherol ratios were directly related to indices of obesity. In young men (gamma)-tocopherols were directly correlated with obesity, but (alpha)-tocopherol ratio was not. For young people and toddlers, fewer obesity indices were available and relationships were weaker. Other fat- and water-soluble vitamin indices correlated directly with (gamma)-tocopherol and (alpha)-tocopherol ratio. Whereas (gamma)-tocopherol and the (alpha)-tocopherol ratio related inversely with ‘healthy’ choices. Food groups had analogous relationships; thus, (gamma)-tocopherol and (alpha)-tocopherol ratio. Although the mechanisms underlying these relationships are obscure, the (alpha)-tocopherol ratio may reveal poor dietary choices, status predictors and a propensity for obesity in later life, especially in women.