Raine A, Portnoy J, Liu J, Mahoomed T, Hibbeln JR. (2015) J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 56(5) 509-20. doi: 10.1111/jcpp.12314. Epub 2014 Aug 22. Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health
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BACKGROUND:
While limited evidence suggests that omega-3 supplementation may reduce antisocial behavior in children, studies have not reported on posttreatment follow-up and most treatment periods have been of short duration. This study tests the hypothesis that omega-3 supplementation over 6 months will reduce behavior problems in children both at the end of treatment and at 6 months post treatment.
METHODS:
In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, stratified, parallel-group trial, a community sample of 8-16 year old children were randomized into a treatment group (N = 100) and a placebo-control group (N = 100). The supplementation consisted of a fruit drink containing 1 g/day of omega-3 or a placebo consisting of the same fruit drink without omega-3. Participants, caregivers, and research assistants were blinded to group assignment.
The primary outcome measures of externalizing and internalizing behavior problems were reported by both caregivers and their children in a laboratory setting at 0 months (baseline), 6 months (end of treatment) and 12 months (6 months post treatment), together with the secondary outcome measures of parental antisocial behavior. Data were analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis including all participants.
Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02016079?term=mauritius&rank=2
RESULTS:
Significant group × time interactions were observed with the treatment group showing long-term improvements in child behavior problems. The average posttreatment effect size was d = -.59.
Effects were documented for parent reports, but with the exception of proactive and reactive aggression, child-report data were nonsignificant.
Parents whose children took omega-3 showed significant posttreatment reductions in their own antisocial and aggressive behavior. This improvement in caregiver behavior partly mediated the improvements observed in child behavior.
CONCLUSIONS:
Findings provide initial evidence that omega-3 supplementation can produce sustained reductions in externalizing and internalizingbehavior problems. Results are the first to report improvements in caregiver behavior, and to establish this improvement as a part-mechanism for the efficacy of omega-3.
Substantial evidence now indicates that poor nutrition in general can contribute to antisocial behaviour - e.g. for two early studies on this subject, see: