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,
Mitchell K. Byrne,
Steven J. Howard,
Stuart J. Johnstone,
Marijka Batterham,
Ian M. R. Wright,
Anthony D. Okely,
Renate H. M. de Groot,
Inge S. M. van der Wurff,
Alison L. Jones,
Barbara J. Meyer
Affiliations
Lauren A. Roach
School of Medicine, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
Mitchell K. Byrne
College of Health and Human Sciences, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT 0909, Australia
Steven J. Howard
School of Psychology, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
Stuart J. Johnstone
Brain & Behaviour Research Institute, School of Psychology, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
Marijka Batterham
Statistical Consulting Centre, School of Mathematics and Applied Statistics, Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
Ian M. R. Wright
Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
Anthony D. Okely
Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
Renate H. M. de Groot
Conditions for Lifelong Learning, Faculty of Educational Sciences, Open University of the Netherlands, 6419 Heerlen, The Netherlands
Inge S. M. van der Wurff
Conditions for Lifelong Learning, Faculty of Educational Sciences, Open University of the Netherlands, 6419 Heerlen, The Netherlands
Alison L. Jones
School of Medicine, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
Barbara J. Meyer
Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
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 ® 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.
