Complexity of understanding the role of dietary and erythrocyte docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on the cognitive performance of school-age children.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Early childhood is a period of rapid brain development, with increases in synapses rich in the omega-3 (ω-3) fatty acid, DHA (22:6ω-3) continuing well beyond infancy. Despite the importance of DHA to neural phospholipids, the requirement of dietary DHA for neurodevelopment remains unclear.

Objectives

The aim was to assess the dietary DHA and DHA status of young children, and determine the association with cognitive performance.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study of healthy children (5-6 y), some of whom were enrolled in a follow-up of a clinical trial (NCT00620672). Dietary intake data (n = 285) were assessed with a food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and three 24-h recalls. Family characteristics were collected by questionnaire, and anthropomet

SUBMITTER: Mulder KA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9283108 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature