Omega-3 Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Intake in Children: The Role of Family-Related Social Determinants

Abstract

Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids play a central role in neuronal growth and in the development of the human brain, since they are essential elements which depend on intake through diet to ensure an adequate amount. Fish and seafood are the main dietary sources of these fatty acids in Spain and in other countries. In order to assess the effect of the intake of common foods containing high amounts of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, a food frequency questionnaire was administered to parents of children and adolescents attending a primary school in Valencia (Spain), and the intake of dietary omega-3 such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was estimated based on their fish/seafood consumption. Low frequencies of intake were significantly (p < 0.05) lower for many types of fish/seafood in children compared to adolescents. 27.5% of children/adolescents did not eat lean fish or other types (19.8% of the sample did not eat fatty fish, and 71.8% did not eat smoked fish) and 20-60% of the sample consumed seafood only once-three times a month, leading to a reduced estimated intake of EPA+DHA below that recommended for both groups by public health agencies. Social aspects, such as the type of work done by mothers and their educational levels are significant factors (p < 0.05 in both cases) affecting children's/adolescents' intake of DHA+EPA. Dietary interventions to increase the consumption of fish and seafood are strongly advised, and health promotion strategies should be aimed at the family level and fight against gender disparities.

Keywords: ADHD; children; diet-deficient; fish intake; nutrients; omega-3 fatty acids.

Figure 1

Frequency of intake (expressed as percentage of children/adolescents in the sample) for lean fish (A) and fatty fish (B) in children/adolescents whose mothers are unemployed /housewife or work outside home.

Figure 2

Estimation of omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) intake from fish/seafood in children and adolescent (A) and body weight categories (B). The significant difference in Panel A is indicated by the asterisk * p < 0.05. ° indicate outliers defined as a data points located outside the whiskers of the box plot.

Figure 3

Estimation of omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) intake from fish/seafood in children/adolescents based on the mother’s work (A) and father’s work (B). The significant difference in Panel A is indicated by the asterisk * p < 0.05. ° indicate outliers defined as a data points located outside the whiskers of the box plot.

Figure 4

Estimation of omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) intake from fish/seafood in children/adolescents based on the level of education of the mothers (A) and fathers (B). The significant difference in Panel A is indicated by the asterisk * p < 0.05. ° indicate outliers defined as a data points located outside the whiskers of the box plot.