Childhood Fish Consumption and Learning and Behavioral Disorders

Abstract

Fish is a major source of nutrients critical for brain development during early life. The importance of childhood fish consumption is supported by several studies reporting associations of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) supplementation with better behavior and school performance. However, fish may have a different effect than n-3 PUFA alone due to the neurotoxic effects of methylmercury, a frequent contaminant. We investigated associations of childhood fish consumption with learning and behavioral disorders in birth cohort study of the neurotoxic effects of early life exposure to solvent-contaminated drinking water. Childhood (age 7–12 years) fish consumption and learning and behavioral problems were reported in self-administered questionnaires (age 23–41 at questionnaire completion). Fish consumption was not meaningfully associated with repeating a grade, tutoring, attending summer school, special class placement, or low educational attainment. However, participants who ate fish several times a week had an elevated odds of Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (odds ratio: 5.2; 95% confidence interval: 1.5–18) compared to participants who did not eat fish. While these findings generally support the safety of the observed level of fish consumption, the absence of a beneficial effect may be attributed to insufficient fish intake or the choice of relatively low n-3 PUFA fish.

Levels of Mercury, Methylmercury and Selenium in Fish: Insights into Children Food Safety

“…Moreover, fish is an excellent source of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and eicosapentaenoic acid/docosahexaenoic acid (EPA/DHA), whose benefits have been widely recognized in adults and especially in children. This evidence is corroborated by various studies showing that omega-3 supplementation during the first 12 months of life is related to permanent effects on brain structure leading to improved cognition, behavior, and school performance in healthy children [ 2 , 3 ]. Nevertheless, concerns regarding potential harms from exposure to certain chemical pollutants present in fishery products have mitigated the perception of fish as a healthy food.…”

Perilaku Mengonsumsi Ikan Dan Pengaruhnya Terhadap Kemampuan Kognitif

“…Selama bertahun-tahun, mengkonsumsi ikan telah dianjurkan kerena banyak memberikan manfaat bagi kesehatan serta kecerdasan otak, baik itu bagi anak-anak, remaja (Åberg et al, 2009;De Groot, Ouwehand & Jolles, 2012;Kim et al, 2010)serta orang tua dalam penurunan risiko kejadian demensia (Morris, Evans, Tangney, Bienias & Wilson 2005). Kandungan nutrisi pada ikan yang merupakan sumber langsung omega-3, yang merupakan asam lemak tak jenuh ganda (polyunsaturated fat acid) dan DHA terbukti sangat penting untuk perkembangan neurokognitif dan fungsi otak (Carwile, Butler, Janulewicz, Winter & Aschengrau, 2016;Morris et al, 2005). Selain bermanfaat bagi kesehatan dan perkembangan otak, mengkonsumsi ikan juga dapat memberikan dampak yang baik bagi sebuah negara.…”

Physicochemical, Sensorial and Antioxidant Properties of Sardine Fish Patties Incorporated with Different Natural Additives

“…Sardine is one of the small pelagic fishes under the family of Clupeidae, shows a high nutritional profile, which has a lipid composition of high unsaturated than neutral lipids and is one of the great sources of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (Bandarra et al, 1997;Cardoso et al, 2018). The adequate intake of those types of omega-3 PUFAs from fish exerts beneficial impacts on human health, such as protecting from cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancers, and optimal nervous and retinal developments and functions (Carwile et al, 2016;Sofoulaki et al, 2018). Thus, due to the positive health effects of omega-3 PUFA, there is an increased interest to produce meat and fish products rich in omega-3 PUFA (Wood et al, 2004).…”