Omega-3 status linked to sleep quality in school children: New data
Consumption of omega-3 from food or supplements could help to improve sleep quality in children according to new data presented at event.
FAB RESEARCH COMMENT:
This presentation formed part of a special conference on findings from the DHA Oxford Learning and Behaviour (DOLAB) study, which investigated:- dietary intakes and blood levels of the long-chain omega-3 EPA/DHA in relation to measures of reading, behaviour, cognition and sleep in UK schoolchildren aged 7-9 years, and
- the effects of dietary supplementation with DHA (600mg/day for 16 weeks) on those outcomes, assessed via a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, involving children aged 7-9 years who were initially underperfoming in reading.
The full conference programme and abstracts is available for download here: Omega 3 DHA for Child Behaviour and learning
With respect to the findings on sleep, preliminary results were presented at this event before their full publication on both
- the pre-treatment associations found between low blood DHA status and higher parent-rated sleep problems, and
- the effects of supplementation with DHA for 16 weeks on both subjective and objective measures of the children's sleep
For more details of these findings on omega-3 and sleep, see:
For information on the other outcomes, see also the previously published DOLAB studies:
5 Sept 2013 - Nutraingredients
-----------------------------------
The preliminary data from the Oxford University DOLAB study first used epidemiological data to assess a possible link between blood omega-3 status, behaviour, and sleep quality, and then examined the effects of supplementation with omega-3 DHA in a randomised controlled trial.
Speaking at the food and Behaviour Research (FAB Research) symposium held in London (4 Sept 13) to discuss the wider findings and implications of the DOLAB study, researchers from the University of Oxford revealed new preliminary data from the study that links omega-3 to sleep quality and disorders in children.
The DOLAB research project involved both wider population data to look for associations in addition to RCT data on supplementation outcomes. Findings from both arms of the study have shown that omega-3 - and particularly decosahexaenoic acid (DHA) - is associated with sleepquality in children, said the expert.
Food and Behaviour Research is a registered charity (No SC034604) and a company limited by guarantee (Co No SC 253448)
Newsletter Signup
Useful Links
Contact Us
FAB Research
23 Carlton Road
Oxford
OX2 7SA
Important Notice
Medical opinion and guidance should always be sought for any symptoms that might possibly reflect a known or suspected disease, disorder or medical condition. Information provided on this website (or by FAB Research via any other means) does not in any way constitute advice on the treatment of any medical condition formally diagnosed or otherwise.
Site by Redstone Websites. Easy to Use Web Content Management. 2025 © All Rights Reserved.