Low Omega-3 in Kids May Be Cause of Behavior, Cognitive Deficits

Blood concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids in school-aged children in the United Kingdom (UK) are well below the minimum recommended for good cardiovascular health in adults, according to a new study.

The research noted that low levels of omega-3, particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which is found in fish, seafood, and some algae, are associated with worse performance on reading tests and working memory, and more symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the children, even after controlling for sex and socioeconomic status.

The blood omega status in these kids is worryingly low, given what is known about omega-3 and its benefits for brain development, and cardiovascular and immune system health.

Parents and teachers rated ADHD-type symptoms, such as inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, in the children using the long version of the Connors Rating Scales. These measurement tools are commonly used to assess behavior problems related to ADHD and have been successfully used in previous studies on the relationships between nutrient status and behavior problems.

Although the children had been underperforming in reading according to national tests carried out at age 7 years, formal testing as part of this study showed that the actual distribution of reading scores in this screening sample was within normal population ranges. Only the children whose scores still placed them in the lowest third of the normal range were entered into the subsequent treatment trial, explained Dr. Richardson.

The study showed that reading scores were significantly and positively associated with the omega-3 fatty acids DHA (P < .003), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA; P < .04), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; P < .005), and the omega-3 index (EPA+DHA; P < .04). Total omega-6 fatty acids also showed a positive correlation with reading.

Results were similar for working memory. Scores for Recall of Digits Forward were significantly and positively associated with DHA (P < .003), DPA (P < .04), EPA (P < .005), the omega-3 index (P < .001), and total omega-3 (P < .004).

In both reading and working memory, there was a slight negative association with the shorter-chain omega- 3 stearidonic acid (P < .04 in both cases).

The associations held up even after adjustment for sex and socioeconomic status (P = .002 for EPA; P = .001 for DHA; P < 0.001 for omega-3 index).

Peer Pressure?

These data “look fairly comparable” with preliminary results from studies of general population groups in other European countries, said Dr. Richardson. “The omega-3 status in children and younger adolescents seems to be lower than in any other age group, which probably reflects their dietary habits,” said Dr. Richardson.

Indeed, in this current study, parent reports showed that almost 9 of 10 children (88.2%) failed to meet current UK dietary guidelines of eating 2 portions of fish per week.

For many, the dietary habits of school-aged children are heavily influenced by peer pressure.

Omega-3s are critical nutrients but are at suboptimal levels in the diet of most people in developed countries. In addition to their key roles in cardiovascular health and immune function, the long-chain omega-3 (EPA and DHA) are needed for normal brain structure and brain function — so I think we should be concerned that they are not in the diet in sufficient quantities for optimal mental performance and well-being.

It’s always best to get omega-3 and other nutrients from the diet, but information from the study on children’s fish-eating habits showed that they just weren’t doing.

Because the study was restricted to children whose first language was English, the findings may not apply to ethnic minority groups, particularly given that important genetic influences on omega-3 fatty acid metabolism and status are known to vary with ancestry.

This study extends the current knowledge on omega-3 fatty acid nutrition and child developmental outcomes, specifically on reading ability, which is often a predictor of continued academic achievement.

These findings, together with the finding that lower omega-3 fatty acid status was associated with the poorer reading ability and parent-rated behavioral problems, highlight the importance of eating 2 servings of fish, particularly fatty, per week but, in cases where increasing the fish consumption is not an option, omega-3 fatty acid supplementation can be a good alternative.

More research is needed to determine what level of supplementation has a beneficial effect on cognition and behavior in healthy schoolchildren, as well as to investigate dietetic influences that may affect omega-3 fatty acid metabolism, added Dr. Baumgartner.

PLoS ONE. Published June 24, 2013. Abstract

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