title: A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial investigating the behavioural effects of vitamin, mineral and n-3 fatty acid supplementation in typically developing adolescent schoolchildren.
abstract: Nutrient deficiencies have been implicated in anti-social behaviour in schoolchildren; hence, correcting them may improve sociability. We therefore tested the effects of vitamin, mineral and n-3 supplementation on behaviour in a 12-week double-blind randomised placebo-controlled trial in typically developing UK adolescents aged 13-16 years (n 196). Changes in erythrocyte n-3 and 6 fatty acids and some mineral and vitamin levels were measured and compared with behavioural changes, using Conners' teacher ratings and school disciplinary records. At baseline, the children's PUFA (n-3 and n-6), vitamin and mineral levels were low, but they improved significantly in the group treated with n-3, vitamins and minerals (P=0·0005). On the Conners disruptive behaviour scale, the group given the active supplements improved, whereas the placebo group worsened (F=5·555, d=0·35; P=0·02). The general level of disciplinary infringements was low, thus making it difficult to obtain improvements. However, throughout the school term school disciplinary infringements increased significantly (by 25 %; Bayes factor=115) in both the treated and untreated groups. However, when the subjects were split into high and low baseline infringements, the low subset increased their offences, whereas the high-misbehaviour subset appeared to improve after treatment. But it was not possible to determine whether this was merely a statistical artifact. Thus, when assessed using the validated and standardised Conners teacher tests (but less clearly when using school discipline records in a school where misbehaviour was infrequent), supplementary nutrition might have a protective effect against worsening behaviour.
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Physiology,Anatomy and Genetics,University of Oxford,Oxford,OX1 3PT,UK.
authors.forename: Jonathan D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Tammam
authors.affiliation: 2Department of Statistics,University of Oxford,Oxford,OX1 3TG,UK.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Steinsaltz
authors.affiliation: 2Department of Statistics,University of Oxford,Oxford,OX1 3TG,UK.
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Bester
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Physiology,Anatomy and Genetics,University of Oxford,Oxford,OX1 3PT,UK.
authors.forename: Turid
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Semb-Andenaes
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Physiology,Anatomy and Genetics,University of Oxford,Oxford,OX1 3PT,UK.
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Stein
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6 / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000172:deficiency; D008903:Minerals / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010919:Placebos; D011203:Poverty; D000066553:Problem Behavior; D006113:United Kingdom; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D043371:Fatty Acids, Omega-6; D018977:Micronutrients; D008903:Minerals; D010919:Placebos; D014815:Vitamins
keywords: ADHD attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder; Adolescents; Behaviour; EFA essential fatty acid; Micronutrient supplementation; PUFA; n-3 Supplementation