Omega-3 may help prevent Obesity in Children
Posted Under: Children's Health
Recent studies in adults have suggested that the amount of omega-3 fatty acids in their blood stream may be associated with helping their obesity level. A new study published in the International Journal of Pediatric Obesity examined the relationship between Omega-3s in particular DHA and EPA that is typically found in fish oil, weight status and insulin resistance in school-age children between 5-12 years.
The children were classified as non-obese or obese on the basis of body mass index (BMI) z-scores, were examined. Their fat intake was assessed using a parent reported 135-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire.
The results indicated that Omega-3 was associated with obesity resistance & insulin resistance in children, highlighting its importance in preventing obesity and perhaps preventing obesity-related chronic diseases in later life. The results presented merits confirmation in a larger sample of obese children.
Source: Burrows T, Collins CE, Garg ML. Omega-3 index, obesity and insulin resistance in children, in Int J Pediatr. Obes. Jan 2011
