Omega 3 supplementation may be an important part in the management of behavioural issues. Poor nutrition in early childhood has been associated with the development of antisocial and aggressive behaviours; a problem for both families of these children and the community at large.  However, evidence on the effects of supplementation on these particular characteristics is sparse.  A paper published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry this month has investigated the impact of omega 3 supplementation on antisocial behaviours, both during supplementation and 6 months after, with promising results.

The study gave an omega 3 enriched fruit drink containing 1g/day of omega 3 or a placebo fruit drink without the omega 3 content to 200 children between 8 and 16 years of age for 6 months.  The researchers also followed up at 6 months after the end of the trial as well to see what the long term outcomes were.  Externalising behaviours, such as aggressive behaviour, were the key point of investigation for the researchers.

The study found significant improvements in aggressive and antisocial behaviours, as well as improvements in a group of traits associated with serious behavioural issues known as callous-unemotional traits.  Furthermore, the study found that a second group of behaviours associated with conditions such as depression, known as internalising behaviours, also appeared to improve with supplementation.  Parent reported improvements ranged between 42 and 68%.  Of great interest was the fact that the improvements seemed to continue 6 months after the supplementation ceased.

The length of time that the supplement was given for is a reminder that changes in omega 3 status can require longer periods, particularly when starting off with low omega 3’s.  Parents may want to give a nutrient rich diet including high quality omega 3 foods alongside a good quality omega 3 supplement regularly to ensure the potential for health and happiness in their children is  fully realised.

Further reading:

1. General reading on how omega – 3 is seen to reduce behavioural problems in children can be found here.
2. The journal article by Raine et al  “Reduction in behavior problems with omega-3 supplementation in children aged 8-16 years: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, stratified, parallel group trial” can be found here.