Journal Name:
J. Nutr.
Article Title:
Direct Diet Quantification Indicates Low Intakes of (n-3) Fatty Acids in Children 4 to 8 Years Old
Date Written:
2009
Volume:
139
Number:
NA
Page:
528
Author(s):
Madden, S.M.; Garrioch, C.F.; Holub, B.J.
Article:
Recommended intakes for alpha linolenic acid (ALA) and LC omega 3 PUFA, including DHA, EPA, and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), to support optimal neuronal functioning and overall health in children and adults have been established by various internationally recognized organizations. Estimations of omega 3 PUFA intakes in children have been reported from various countries using 24-h to 3-d recalls and FFQ or estimates of past mean intakes. Such estimates have numerous limitations primarily due to their reliance on data collected by limited indirect approaches. The primary purpose of the present study was to directly quantify and assess daily intakes of omega 3 PUFA in a population of Canadian children aged 4–8 years and compare such intakes with recent recommendations.
Identical portions of all food and natural health products consumed over 3 d were collected. Duplicate samples were analyzed for energy, macronutrients, and fatty acids. The results for 41 children [25 females, 16 males; 5.8 +/- 0.2 y] showed daily energy intakes of 5879 +/- 211 kJ and (n-3) PUFA intakes in mg/d as follows: ALA, 1161 +/- 108; EPA, 38.4 +/- 9.3; DPA, 26.3 +/- 3.9; and DHA, 54.1 +/- 11.4. Based on the Dietary Reference Intakes from the Institute of Medicine, 61% of the children met the adequate intake for ALA and 22% met the suggested adequate intake for DHA+EPA (10% of the adequate intake for ALA). These intakes were also compared with the recent Australia/New Zealand recommendations for children, where only 51% met the recommended intake for EPA+DPA+DHA.
These results demonstrate a moderate shortfall in ALA intake in Canadian children and a nutrient gap for the LC (n-3) PUFA, including DHA, when comparing intakes for this population to suggested and recommended intakes. DHA has become recognized as a physiologically essential nutrient in the brain and retina for optimal development. The group selected for this assessment was targeted for various reasons, including their being in a stage of growth and continued neuronal development, evidence that their fish/seafood intakes (as sources of DHA and EPA) have often been reported to be modest, and the fact that existing intake data on omega-3 fatty acids has been estimated by indirect methods.
The mean group daily intake of DHA was 54.1 mg/child from this direct quantification, which can be compared with indirect estimates of intakes ranging from 0.02 to1.09 g/d. The mean intake of EPA was 38.4 mg/d, which compares to intakes ranging from 0.01 to 60 mg from indirect estimates. DHA and EPA are consumed primarily in the form of fish/seafood and they represented only 7.1% of the total omega 3 intake (mean of 1298 mg/d) in the children in this study. The very low intakes of DHA and EPA (averaging 92.5 mg/d) from this direct assessment are not surprising based on a recent study indicating that 16% of U.S. children consume no fish or shellfish during a 12-mo period and that the mean consumption rate among those who ate fish (the remaining 84%) was 1 meal/wk.
The mean omega 6 arachiadonic acid (AA) intake was 62 mg/d. Dietary AA is consumed from various animal based food sources. Physiological levels of AA, as derived metabolically from LA and dietary AA, are particularly high in neuronal membrane phospholipid along with DHA, where they support cognitive functionality, thereby resulting in their inclusion in selected infant formulas. However, the mean intakes of AA (0.17%) and DHA (0.15%) as a percent of total dietary fatty acids in these children were much lower than the corresponding levels (0.47% and 0.32%, respectively) in human breast milk worldwide.
The mean daily intake of ALA was 1161 mg/d which can be compared with indirect estimates from various countries (Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, and the United States) ranging from 0.34 to 1.72 g/d. The intake of ALA is not surprising in view of its common occurrence in canola oil, soybean oil, flaxseed, walnuts, and processed foods containing these ingredients.
The authors recommend that the gap in omega 3 intakes be addressed through an increased consumption of fish/seafood containing DHA and EPA, the increased availability of foods (eggs, dairy products, breads, beverages, and others) that have been nutritionally enriched with various delivery forms of omega 3, and the use of supplementation where necessary.
Back to New research paper