Our Children and Omega-3

There is increasing scientific evidence for the role of long chain Omega-3 fatty acids in normal growth and development as well as health maintenance. Mothers' breastmilk naturally contains significant quantities of long chain Omega-3s for babies' health and now more and more infant formulas are including these Omegas in their formulation.

But how strong is the evidence for its health benefits for older children?

Fish is our major source, yet dietary studies indicate that children consume very little fish and seafood, with one study in NSW showing that most children consume fish less than once a week.

Professor Andrew Sinclair, Scientific Adviser to the Omega-3 Centre, said: "Government nutrition policy currently pays scant attention to the need for long chain Omega-3 fatty acids in children and adolescents. We need to understand its role in children's health and ensure [that] recommendations and advice on Omega-3s are communicated effectively to improve intakes."

The Centre plans to widely disseminate its findings.
 
FMCA member Wendy Morgan, Executive Director of the Centre, said: "We will release a scientific consensus paper on this issue to help raise community and government awareness and understanding of this key nutritional issue. Our children's health is too important to ignore the roles of Omega-3s."

For further details, contact Wendy Morgan at wmorgan@omega-3centre.com or phone 0401 134 334.