Omega-3 fatty acids in boys with behavior, learning, and health problems

• Published in: Physiology & behavior Vol. 59; no. 4; pp. 915 - 920
• Main Authors: Stevens, Laura J., Zentall, Sydney S., Abate, Marcey L., Kuczek, Thomas, Burges, John R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge Elsevier Inc 01.04.1996; New York, NY Elsevier
• Subjects: Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); Biological and medical sciences; Child; Child Behavior; Child Behavior Disorders - blood; Child clinical studies; Childhood behaviors; Essential fatty acids; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - blood; Fatty Acids, Omega-6; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated - blood; Health; Humans; Learning; Learning - physiology; Male; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous; Omega-3 fatty acids; Phospholipids - blood; Polydipsia; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Learning; Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); Childhood behaviors; Essential fatty acids; Polydipsia; Omega-3 fatty acids; Human; Cognitive disorder; n-6 fatty acid; Attentional disorder; Hyperactivity; Learning disability; Sleep disorder; Exploration; Male; n-3 fatty acid; Child; Blood plasma
• ISSN: 0031-9384; 1873-507X
• DOI: 10.1016/0031-9384(95)02207-4

The purpose of the study reported here was to compare behavior, learning, and health problems in boys ages 6 to 12 with lower plasma phospholipid total omega-3 or total omega-6 fatty acid levels with those boys with higher levels of these fatty acids. A greater frequency of symptoms indicative of essential fatty acid deficiency was reported by the parents of subjects with lower plasma omega-3 or omega-6 fatty acid concentrations than those with higher levels. A greater number of behavior problems, assessed by the Conners' Rating Scale, temper tantrums, and sleep problems were reported in subjects with lower total omega-3 fatty acid concentrations. Additionally, more learning and health problems were found in subjects with lower total omega-3 fatty acid concentrations. (Only more colds and more antibiotic use were reported by those subjects with lower total omega-6 fatty acids.) These findings are discussed in relation to recent findings for omega-3 experimentally deprived animals.