Waylen, Andrea E., Ford, Tamsin, Goodman, Robert, Samara, Muthanna and Wolke, Dieter (2009) Can early intake of dietary omega-3 predict childhood externalizing behaviour? Acta Paediatrica, 98(11), pp. 1805-1808. ISSN (print) 0803-5253
Full text not available from this archive.Abstract
AIM: To determine whether maternal and child intake of dietary omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids (FA), together with the presence or absence of breast-feeding, predicted psychiatric diagnosis of externalizing disorders in childhood. METHODS: Data concerning childhood externalizing disorders were collected from 8242 children aged 7.9 years in a large British cohort. Intake of n-3 FA was measured for the study mother during pregnancy and for the child at 3 years. Duration of breast-feeding was examined to account for moderating effects. Adjustment was made for a variety of potential confounders. RESULTS: Maternal intake of n-3 and breast-feeding predicted oppositional/conduct disorder and comorbid externalizing disorder before adjustment for confounding factors. However, there was no association between intake of n-3 by mother or child and any type of externalizing disorder once socio-demographic factors were taken into account. CONCLUSIONS: Any association between intake of n-3 and childhood externalizing disorders appears to be strongly confounded with socio-demographic factors. This is important to note given the current popularity of n-3 as a possible treatment for behaviour problems related to inattention and impulsivity. Care must be taken that studies investigating this relationship account fully for factors associated with both behaviour and diet.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Additional Information: | This work was supported by the Health Foundation (Great Britain) [grant number 265/1981]. |
| Research Area: | Psychology |
| Faculty, School or Research Centre: | Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences > School of Social Science (until November 2012) |
| Related URLs: | |
| Depositing User: | Cheryl Clark |
| Date Deposited: | 07 Dec 2012 08:37 |
| Last Modified: | 07 Dec 2012 08:37 |
| URI: | http://eprints.kingston.ac.uk/id/eprint/24076 |
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