ABSTRACT
Long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) play an essential role in cognitive and behavioural changes among school going children. This study delineates the dietary omega-3 PUFA [alpha-Linolenic acid (ALA), DHA, and EPA] intake and plasma fatty acids levels among school-going children. This is a cross-sectional study purely observational in nature, wherein 625 apparently healthy boys and girls aged between 7 and 13 years were selected from five different schools of Hyderabad. Dietary information on omega-3 PUFA (ALA, DHA, and EPA) intake was collected using a food frequency questionnaire. Plasma fatty acid concentrations were measured in 34% of sub-sample using standard gas chromatography. The study revealed that the average dietary intakes of omega-3 PUFA, ALA, DHA, and EPA were 55.46, 15.82, 35.59, 4.06 mg/day, respectively. There was a significant difference in mean DHA intake among gender and age group [girls (38.64±1.45 mg/day), boys (31.80±1.38 mg/day) p < 0.001] and [7-10 years (31.75±1.38 mg/day), 11-13 years (38.07±1.40 mg/day) p < 0.01]. The mean plasma DHA and DPA levels of overall subjects were 0.98 nmol% and 0.18nmol% respectively which was comparable among different gender, age and BMI-for age groups. There was a positive correlation between dietary DHA intake and plasma DHA level [ρ=0.376 (p < 0.001)]. The current study demonstrated that the omega-3 PUFA intake in school going children was less and reinforces the importance of increasing the omega-3 PUFA intake through diet and supplements.