Abstract
BackgroundOmega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA), especially DHA (docosahexaenonic acid) are essential for brain development and physical health. Low blood Omega-3 LC-PUFA have been reported in children with ADHD and related behavior/learning difficulties, as have benefits from dietary supplementation. Little is known, however, about blood fatty acid status in the general child population. We therefore investigated this in relation to age-standardized measures of behavior and cognition in a representative sample of children from mainstream schools.Participants493 schoolchildren aged 7–9 years from mainstream Oxfordshire schools, selected for below average reading performance in national assessments at age seven.MethodWhole blood fatty acids were obtained via fingerstick samples. Reading and working memory were assessed using the British Ability Scales (II). Behaviour (ADHD-type symptoms) was rated using the revised Conners’ rating scales (long parent and teacher versions). Associations were examined and adjusted for relevant demographic variables.ResultsDHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), accounted for only 1.9% and 0.55% respectively of total blood fatty acids, with DHA showing more individual variation. Controlling for sex and socio-economic status, lower DHA concentrations were associated with poorer reading ability (std. OLS coeff. = 0.09, p = <.042) and working memory performance (0.14, p = <.001). Lower DHA was also associated with higher levels of parent rated oppositional behavior and emotional lability (−0.175, p = <.0001 and −0.178, p = <.0001).ConclusionsIn these healthy UK children with below average reading ability, concentrations of DHA and other Omega-3 LC-PUFA were low relative to adult cardiovascular health recommendations, and directly related to measures of cognition and behavior. These findings require confirmation, but suggest that the benefits from dietary supplementation with Omega-3 LC-PUFA found for ADHD, Dyspraxia, Dyslexia, and related conditions might extend to the general school population.
Highlights
Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA)play key roles in normal brain development and functioning as well as in cardiovascular and immune system health [1,2]
Controlling for sex and socio-economic status, lower DHA concentrations were associated with poorer reading ability
In these healthy UK children with below average reading ability, concentrations of DHA and other Omega-3 LC-PUFA were low relative to adult cardiovascular health recommendations, and directly related to measures of cognition and behavior. These findings require confirmation, but suggest that the benefits from dietary supplementation with Omega-3 LC-PUFA found for ADHD, Dyspraxia, Dyslexia, and related conditions might extend to the general school population
Summary
Background and Rationale Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA)play key roles in normal brain development and functioning as well as in cardiovascular and immune system health [1,2]. Increasing evidence indicates that this imbalance may be contributing to a wide range of physical and mental health disorders [4] These include common childhood behavior and learning difficulties such as ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia and related conditions [5,6]. Low blood Omega-3 LC-PUFA concentrations have been reported in children with ADHD and related behavior or learning difficulties [7,8] as have benefits from dietary supplementation [9,10,11]. About blood fatty acid status in the general child population We investigated this in relation to age-standardized measures of behavior and cognition in a representative sample of children from mainstream schools
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