The frequent of fish intake can increase the chance of Child intelligence of aged 9-10 years in Surakarta

Abstract

Background: Healthy, intelligent, and highly competitive children are the asset of a nation. Indonesia as one of the developing countries which level of fish consumption is still low, including children fish intake. Children fish consumption in Surakarta, Central Java Province has potential to improve. Growth and brain development persist in childhood and adolescence at 9-10 years. That age range is the beginning of the peak growth (growth spurt) that requires the intake of fat and protein to support the growth and development of the brain and fish is a potent food source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids.Aim: This study aims to analyze the relationship between fish consumption frequency and fish type with children intelligence level at aged 9-10 years.Method: The design of this study was cross-sectional involving 112 elementary school children grade 4 in Surakarta, Central Java, Indonesia. Data were collected using questionnaires, 1 x 24-hour food recall form, semi-quantitative FFQ (Frequency Food Questionnaire), anthropometry, and intelligence level using Culture Fair Intelligence Test (CFIT-2A) method. The results were analyzed by multivariate analysis with multiple logistic regression.Results: Multiple logistic regression analysis on the intelligence level of children aged 9-10 years showed that the frequency of fish consumption has a value of p = 0.170 and fish species has a value of p = 0.259, while confounding factors in the form of mother education and income of parents have their respective p-value of 0.011 and 0.171.Conclusion: There is no significant correlation between the frequency of fish consumption and type of fish to the intelligence level of children aged 9-10 years (p> 0,05). However, the probability of subjects whose frequency of consumption of fish >3 times/week to have intelligence in the intelligent category greater than 1.81 times the subject consuming fish ≤3 times/week, after controlling maternal education factors and income parents.