title: Low blood long chain omega-3 fatty acids in UK children are associated with poor cognitive performance and behavior: a cross-sectional analysis from the DOLAB study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Omega-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.
  
  
  METHODS
  493 schoolchildren aged 7-9 years from mainstream Oxfordshire schools, selected for below average reading performance in national assessments at age seven.
  
  
  METHODS
  Whole 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.
  
  
  RESULTS
  DHA 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).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Evidence-Based Intervention, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom. paul.montgomery@spi.ox.ac.uk
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Montgomery
authors.forename: Jennifer R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Burton
authors.forename: Richard P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Sewell
authors.forename: Thees F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Spreckelsen
authors.forename: Alexandra J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Richardson
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000097:blood*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3