Children who weigh more are likely to benefit less from consuming 'good' fats in form of supplements, a new study has found.
Omega-3 consumption has been shown to lower blood pressure and increase good cholesterol or High-density lipoprotein (HDL) in children eight to 15 years old, researchers said.
Researchers from Ohio State University in the US compared fatty acid uptake after kids took a supplement to both overall body weight and body-mass index (BMI).
They looked at fatty-acid supplementation in about 64 children with mood disorders. The seven to 14-year-old children took either an omega-3 supplement or a placebo for 12 weeks.
Those who took the supplement received 2,000 milligrammes of omega-3 fatty acids in the form of four capsules daily.
Researchers found that the more a child weighed, the smaller the measurement was of two key omega-3 fatty acids in their bloodstream. The higher the BMI category, the lower the levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPS) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
Omega-3 fatty acids are found naturally in foods including salmon, walnuts and soybeans. Parents looking to feed their children more of these foods should be mindful that as they gain weight they will need more of them to make a difference, said Lisa Christian of Ohio State University in the US.
“While this study just looked at fatty acid supplements, it's important to recognise that weight differences could factor into how children and adults respond to many types of medications,” Christian said.
“Weight, rather than age, may be more meaningful when determining recommended doses. The difference in size between a 7-year-old and a 10-year-old can be quite significant,” she said.
“We have a growing body of evidence that omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial for physical and mental health. This paper gives us more information about an important question about taking omega-3 supplements – how much is a good amount,” said Mary Fristad of Ohio State University.
Given fluctuations in BMI percentile measures as children grow, it would seem to make the most sense to base dosing on weight alone, Christian said.