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Omega-3 Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Intake in Children with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder

Milagros Fuentes-Albero1, María Isabel Martínez-Martínez2, Omar Cauli3

  • 1Children's Mental Health Center, Hospital Arnau de Villanova, 46015 Valencia, Spain. milagrosfuentesalbero@yahoo.es.

Brain Sciences
|May 26, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Children with ADHD consume fewer omega-3 fatty acids, essential for brain health, than typically developing children. Increasing fish and seafood intake may help improve ADHD symptoms.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Nutritional Science
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) are crucial for brain development and function.
  • Deficiencies in LC-PUFA have been observed in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD).
  • Omega-3 supplementation is explored as an adjunctive therapy for ADHD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the dietary intake of omega-3 LC-PUFA in children with ADHD compared to a control group.
  • To investigate the consumption patterns of omega-3 rich foods in relation to ADHD.

Main Methods:

  • A food frequency questionnaire was administered to parents of children with ADHD (N=48) and controls (N=87).
  • Dietary intake of omega-3 LC-PUFA, specifically eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), was estimated.
  • Consumption of fish, seafood, and eggs was compared between groups.

Main Results:

  • Children with ADHD consumed fatty fish, lean fish, mollusks, crustaceans, and eggs significantly less frequently than controls.
  • Estimated daily omega-3 LC-PUFA (EPA + DHA) intake was below recommended levels in both groups.
  • Children with ADHD had significantly lower omega-3 LC-PUFA intake compared to the control group.

Conclusions:

  • Dietary intake of omega-3 LC-PUFA is lower in children with ADHD.
  • Increased consumption of fish and seafood is recommended, particularly for children with ADHD.
  • Dietary interventions targeting omega-3 intake may contribute to managing ADHD symptoms.

Keywords:
ADHDchildrendiet-deficientfish intakenutrientsomega-3 fatty acids

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