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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2021 Oct 12;13(10):3561.
doi: 10.3390/nu13103561.

Effect of Omega-3 Supplementation on Self-Regulation in Typically Developing Preschool-Aged Children: Results of the Omega Kid Pilot Study-A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Lauren A Roach  1   2 , Mitchell K Byrne  3 , Steven J Howard  4   5 , Stuart J Johnstone  6 , Marijka Batterham  7 , Ian M R Wright  2   5   8 , Anthony D Okely  2   9 , Renate H M de Groot  10 , Inge S M van der Wurff  10 , Alison L Jones  1   11 , Barbara J Meyer  2   12
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Effect of Omega-3 Supplementation on Self-Regulation in Typically Developing Preschool-Aged Children: Results of the Omega Kid Pilot Study-A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Lauren A Roach et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Supplementation of omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFA) may enhance self-regulation (SR) and executive functioning (EF) in children of preschool age. The aim of the Omega Kid Study was to investigate the effect of n-3 LCPUFA supplementation on SR and EF in typically developing preschool-aged children. A double-blind placebo-controlled pilot trial was undertaken, the intervention was 12 weeks and consisted of 1.6 g of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) per day compared to placebo. The HS-Omega-3 Index® was assessed by capillary blood samples at baseline and post-intervention. Seventy-eight children were enrolled and randomised to either the n-3 LCPUFA treatment (n = 39) or placebo (n = 39) group. Post intervention, there was a significant three-fold increase in the HS-Omega-3 Index® in the n-3 LCPUFA group (p < 0.001). There were no improvements in SR or EF outcome variables for the n-3 LCPUFA group post intervention compared to the placebo group determined by linear mixed models. At baseline, there were significant modest positive Spearman correlations found between the HS-Omega-3 index® and both behavioural self-regulation and cognitive self-regulation (r = 0.287, p = 0.015 and r = 0.242, p = 0.015 respectively). Although no treatment effects were found in typically developing children, further research is required to target children with sub-optimal self-regulation who may benefit most from n-3 LCPUFA supplementation.

Keywords: HS-Omega-3 Index®; executive function; n-3 LCPUFAs; preschool-aged children; self-regulation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
CONSORT diagram.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Change in HS-Omega-3 Index® per treatment group, * denotes a significant difference between treatment groups at post-intervention, p < 0.001.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Correlations between the HS-Omega-3 Index® (%) and Behavioural Self-Regulation from the CSBQ (r = 0.287, p = 0.015) (a), Cognitive Self-Regulation from the CSBQ (r = 0.242, p = 0.042) (b), Hyperactivity/Impulsivity scale from the CTRS (r = −0.250, p = 0.037) (c), Plan/Organise raw score from the BRIEF (r = −0.225, p = 0.061) (d) determined by Spearman correlation.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Correlations between the HS-Omega-3 Index® (%) and Behavioural Self-Regulation from the CSBQ (r = 0.287, p = 0.015) (a), Cognitive Self-Regulation from the CSBQ (r = 0.242, p = 0.042) (b), Hyperactivity/Impulsivity scale from the CTRS (r = −0.250, p = 0.037) (c), Plan/Organise raw score from the BRIEF (r = −0.225, p = 0.061) (d) determined by Spearman correlation.
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