Omega-3 Fatty Acid Intake by Age, Gender, and Pregnancy Status in the United States: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003⁻2014.

Maranda Thompson,Corrine Hanson,Nicholas Hein,Ann Skulas-Ray,Karl Stessy Bisselou,Adams Kusi Appiah,Tara Nordgren,Lynette Smith,Chesney Richter,Penny Kris-Etherton,Ann Anderson-Berry

doi:10.3390/nu11010177

Abstract

Despite the importance of n-3 fatty acids for health, intakes remain below recommended levels. The objective of this study was to provide an updated assessment of fish and n-3 fatty acid intake (i.e., eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and EPA+DHA) in the United States using the 2003–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data (n = 45,347)). Over this survey period, toddlers, children, and adolescents (aged 1–19) had significantly lower n-3 fatty acid intake (p < 0.001) compared to adults and seniors, which remained significant after adjusting for caloric intake. Females demonstrated lower n-3 fatty acid intake than males (p < 0.001), with adult and senior women having significantly lower intakes compared to men in the same age categories (p < 0.001) after adjustment for energy intake. Women also consumed less fish than men (5.8 versus 6.1 servings/month, p < 0.001). The estimated intakes of n-3 fatty acids in pregnant women did not differ from non-pregnant women (p = 0.6 for EPA+DHA), although pregnant women reported consuming less high n-3 fatty acid-containing fish than non-pregnant women (1.8 versus 2.6 servings/month, p < 0.001). Our findings indicate that subgroups of the population may be at higher risk of n-3 fatty acid intakes below recommended levels.

Highlights

The major n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), play key physiological roles related to health and disease, and the health benefits of n-3 fatty acids are well established [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9]
EPA+DHA intake adjusted for caloric intake was higher in adolescents compared to toddlers/early childhood (23.1 mg EPA+DHA per 1000 kcal; p < 0.001)
Intake of EPA, DHA, and combined EPA+DHA was significantly higher in males than females, overall and within each age group, (p < 0.001 for all n-3 fatty acids/combinations) with intake by men of all age groups being consistently higher than females of the same age group (Table 3)

Summary

Introduction

The major n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), play key physiological roles related to health and disease, and the health benefits of n-3 fatty acids are well established [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9]. Intake of fatty fish is the primary contributor of EPA and DHA. Supplementation with fish, krill, and cod liver oils, as well as other products derived from algal sources can improve n-3 fatty acid status [11]. N-3 fatty acids play an essential role in growth and development, including development of the eyes and brain [12]. Increased intake of n-3 fatty acids during pregnancy has been associated with decreased maternal depression [13], reduced rates of intrauterine growth restriction [12], preterm birth [12,14,15], reduced allergies and asthma in children [16,17], and improved neurocognitive outcomes in offspring [13]. N-3 fatty acid intake in the Western diet is typically low compared to recommended intakes [14,15]

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Conclusion