Gaby
A new study from the University of Bristol (UK) has revealed that children who eat fish at least twice a week are more sociable and kind-hearted.
The research team urges parents to “give their children the best start in life” by enriching their diets with plenty of fish.
Dr. Caroline Taylor, a lecturer in nutrition and the lead author of the study, stated, “Our evidence linking fish consumption in children to positive behavioral development is clear. We strongly recommend that parents provide their children with at least two servings of fish per week.”
Researchers also found that children who do not eat fish tend to be more selfish and less friendly.
Previous studies have shown that seafood is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, and iodine—nutrients that play a crucial role in brain development and cognitive functions. In light of this, experts sought to determine whether there is a connection between seafood consumption in children and their behavior, as well as their intelligence levels.
What Did the Researchers Discover?
The team examined long-term data from nearly 6,000 children aged 7 to 9 living in England.
About 7.2 percent of the children did not eat fish weekly; 63.9 percent consumed between 1 to 190 grams per week, while 28.9 percent ate more than 190 grams per week—equating to more than two servings.
Fish products with a breaded coating, such as fish sticks, accounted for nearly half (46 percent) of the total seafood consumption among the children.
The likelihood of below-average behavioral development was 35 percent higher in seven-year-olds who did not consume fish (compared to those who ate at least 190 grams of fish per week). Among nine-year-olds, this figure rose to 43 percent, according to the Daily Mail.
The study, published in the European Journal of Nutrition, found that children who did not eat fish were less likely to engage in prosocial behavior. (Prosocial behavior involves friendly interactions and altruism.)
Researchers also looked for a link between seafood consumption and intelligence levels in children but found no such connection.
According to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), a healthy, balanced diet includes at least two servings of fish per week, including one serving of oily fish, such as salmon, mackerel, or sardines.
The researchers noted that boys should consume no more than four servings of oily fish per week, while girls should limit themselves to no more than two.
Most children participating in the study did not eat enough seafood, meaning their diets did not meet NHS recommendations.
The research team hopes their findings will assist parents who aim to raise healthy, sociable, and kind children.
