Researchers strive to understand the factors influencing children’s growth and behavior, particularly the relationship between nutrition, mental health, and social development.
Fish is a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, and iodine—essential nutrients for brain growth and cognitive function. For this reason, a recent study focused on the impact of seafood consumption on children’s behavior and intelligence levels.
A research team analyzed long-term data from around 6,000 children aged 7 to 9 years in England. The findings revealed that:
- 7.2% of children did not consume any type of fish weekly.
- 63.9% consumed between 1 and 190 grams per week.
- 28.9% consumed more than 190 grams per week (equivalent to at least two servings).
The study indicated that children who ate fish twice a week showed improved social behavior, becoming more kind and cooperative.
Dr. Caroline Taylor, Associate Professor of Nutrition at the University of Bristol, confirmed a clear link between fish consumption and improved behavioral development in children, emphasizing the importance of providing at least two servings per week.
The study also found that children who did not consume fish were 35% more likely to exhibit below-average behavioral development by age seven, with this percentage rising to 43% by age nine. Additionally, they were more prone to weak social interactions, including reduced altruism and a tendency toward isolation.
The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) recommends consuming at least two servings of fish per week, with one of them being oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, or sardines. It also advises that boys should not exceed four servings per week, while girls should limit their intake to two servings due to the potential accumulation of certain pollutants in the body.
