Summary: Children who eat seafood regularly at age 7 exhibit more positive social behaviors, such as kindly sharing, helping, and interacting at age 7 and 9, compared to those who rarely consume seafood. The findings highlight the role of seafood in supporting childhood behavior and social development from a large study tracking nearly 6,000 children.
Researchers emphasize that seafood provides important nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, iodine and selenium, and are essential for brain and behavioral health. Fear of mercury exposure has led to some parents limiting their fish intake, but experts highlight the benefits of consuming two portions of seafood each week.
Important Facts:
Prosocial boost: Children with high seafood consumption showed positive benefits. Nutritional Benefits: Fish provide essential nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, iodine and selenium, which are important for brain development.
Source: University of Bristol
A new study shows that children who consumed seafood as the smallest seafood at age 7 would not be more “prosocial” than those who consumed seafood regularly at age 7 and 9. “Prosocial” behavior includes friendly interaction, altruism, and sharing.
A new study from the University of Bristol reveals the association between fish intake and child behavioral development. Seafood is the source of many important nutrients for children, including omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, iodine and markers of healthy lifestyles.
The recommendation is that children should consume at least two fish per week, one of which is oily fish, such as salmon and mackerel.
The researchers used questionnaire data from 5,969 participants from children in the 90s study. Data were collected over two years and adjusted for social and demographic factors.
Most studies examining the link between seafood and cognition focus on fish consumption during pregnancy and its impact on babies.
More research has been called for on fish intake regarding children’s own fish intake. This is because the overall effect of fish consumption on child brain development is unknown.
Almost all children in this study did not consume enough seafood to reach NHS recommendations. This may be because experts have previously warned parents that overdose of fish could increase the risk of exposure to contaminants such as mercury.
Prosocial behavior begins to develop as children are between 1 and 2 years old, and as the child grows, frequency and complexity generally grows as they grow. Encouraging prosocial behavior is essential for a well-functioning society, highlighting the importance of the good role of nutrition in childhood.
Children in the 90s study measured prosocial behavior using parental surveys about 7- and 9-year-old children.
Researchers also looked at the association between seafood intake and IQ over the course of seven years, but no links were found.
“We’ve seen a lot of people who have had a lot of fun,” said Dr. Caroline Taylor, an associate professor of nutrition at the University of Bristol. Our previous studies have shown that eating fish during pregnancy in the UK has a positive effect on child development.
“This has been discovered in countries where fish intake is higher than here, so promoting fish consumption could have a positive effect on child development.
“Our evidence linking the consumption of fish in children with the best behavioral development is clear and we strongly recommend that you provide at least two fish in accordance with the NHS guidelines.
“We hope these findings will give parents the knowledge to know that their children will get the best start in their lives.”
Children in the 90s, the data source for this study, were recently awarded £5.2 million to continue pioneering health research into thousands of families in southwestern England.
Funding: The study was founded by Professor Jean Golding in the early 1990s and has contributed to over 3,000 research papers. New funding allows this study to continue pioneering research, focusing on third-generation participants.
About this diet and social neurological development research news
Author: Joan Flyer
Source: University of Bristol
Contact: Joanne Fryer – University of Bristol
Image: Image credited to Neuroscience News
Original research: Open access.
“Seafood intake in 7-year-olds and neurodevelopmental outcomes in an observational cohort study (ALSPAC)” Caroline Taylor et al. European Nutrition Journal
Abstract
Seafood Intake and Neurodevelopmental Results in the Observation Cohort Study (ALSPAC) of 7-Year-Old Children
the purpose
Seafood is rich in other essential nutrients, such as long chain fatty acids, selenium, and iodine, which play an important role in neurodevelopment and cognitive function. The association between childhood seafood intake and cognitive outcomes has not been well proven. Our aim was to investigate the association between seafood intake in 7-year-old children and cognitive and behavioral outcomes in 7-9-year-olds.
method
Data on seafood intake were collected at age 7 of children enrolled in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Adjusted logistic regression was used to model seafood intake along with suboptimal behavioral scores (Strength and Difficulty Questionnaire (SDQ)) measured at ages 7 and 9, and cognitive scores (IQ) odds at age 8.
result
Reducing seafood intake at age 7 (0 vs. 190 g/week) increased the adjusted odds for suboptimal prosocial behavior measured at SDQ of 35% (OR 1.35 (95% CI 1.10, 1.81), P = 0.042) and 43% (OR 1.43 (95% CI 1.02, 1.99) for 9 years. No evidence of association with IQ was found at 8 years.
Conclusion
In populations where fish intake is below national recommendations, our results demonstrate the importance of child seafood intake for behavioral variables, particularly prosocial behaviors. Further research into the association between seafood intake and a wider range of indicators of child neurodevelopment provides stronger evidence for the role of seafood intake in cognitive development.
