Delegates at the Joint New Zealand & Australian Nutrition Societies Conference held this month heard how omega-3s are beneficial for children.

New research reported by an international team of nutrition scientists and health experts at the Omega-3 Centre found conclusive evidence of improved brain growth, development, increased attention, improved learning and behaviour patterns.

This is of particular interest as a range of health problems among New Zealand children is being partly attributed to diets lacking oily fish and other foods rich in long chain Omega-3s.

This dietary shortfall in Omega-3 is causing concern for health experts who recommend that growing children should increase their intake of Omega-3s by as much as five times their current level.

The evidence supporting the benefits of Omega-3 is strong enough to suggest healthcare professionals should consider Omega-3s as an adjunct in the treatment of children with developmental brain disorders such as ADHD, dyslexia and dyspraxia. Long-chain Omega-3s are required by every cell in the body and are essential nutrients for a number of key health functions with an important role in brain growth, development, behaviour, learning and bone health.

The findings resulted from a one-day workshop convened by the Omega-3 Centre in April, 2007 to help raise community and government awareness and increased understanding of what the report says is a ‘key nutritional issue’ for children’s health.

Massey University Professor Marlena Kruger, PhD, is director of the Human Nutrition and Health division and a key contributor to the report prepared by the seven-member scientific panel.

Kruger said studies indicate that both Australian and NZ children consume very little fish and seafood which are essential sources of long chain Omega-3s.

“This may be due to children not being introduced to oily fish early in life or fish cakes made from sardines may not be as popular now as it was when we were children,” she said.

She said that eating fish high in Omega-3 aids in making glucose and energy available for muscle growth and may also help build strong bones in children.

“The essential role Omega-3 plays in ensuring healthy physical and cognitive growth and development is too important to ignore,” Kruger said.

The report contains 21 recommendations on Omega-3 intakes, communication to parents, health professionals and government as well as suggestions for further research.

Oily fish provides a good source of Omega-3s and commercial research commissioned from Massey University and supported by New Zealand King Salmon shows the company’s farmed salmon contains high levels of Omega-3.

New Zealand King Salmon is one of the founding members of the Omega-3 Centre, established in 2006. The centre is dedicated to effectively communicating the health benefits of Omega-3s, where to find them and promoting Omega-3 research and development.

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