Original article
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in adolescents: knowledge and consumption

https://doi.org/10.1016/S1054-139X(00)00179-8Get rights and content

Abstract

Objective: To assess adolescents’ knowledge about n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and their dietary intake of these important nutrients.

Methods: A questionnaire consisting of 12 questions assessing the knowledge and intake of n-3 PUFA and of a 24-h dietary recall was administered to 1117 ninth-grade adolescents (52% girls and 48% boys) attending five public schools. The adolescents were subsequently provided with verbal and written information on the health benefits, requirements, and dietary sources of n-3 PUFA. Dietary recalls were analyzed for energy and n-3 PUFA intake. Descriptive statistics, Student’s t-tests, Chi-square analysis, and multiple regression analysis were used to assess adolescents’ knowledge about n-3 PUFA as well as to examine relationships of independent variables with n-3 PUFA intake.

Results: Most adolescents (89%) believed that eating fish, a main source of very long chain (VLC) n-3 PUFA, is healthy and may prevent heart disease (59%), but only a few knew about n-3 PUFA’s role in alleviating inflammation (29%) and its potential for cancer prevention (25%). Many were aware of marine sources of n-3 PUFA, such as salmon (67%), tuna (46%), mackerel (30%), and herring (26%), but only 36% knew about adequate intake of VLC n-3 PUFA. The main source of n-3 PUFA information was parents (58%), whereas only 21% of adolescents reported that their care providers had discussed health benefits of n-3 PUFA with them. About one-third of adolescents consumed fish at least once a week, and 29% consumed fish once a month. Dislike (22% of participants) and allergy (3%) were the main reasons for rarely (≤3 times/year; 18%) or never (17%) consuming fish. Only one adolescent reported daily consumption of a fish concentrate supplement. Daily consumption of linolenic acid was higher in boys (0.38 ± 0.02 g) than in girls (0.31 ± 0.01 g; p = .002). Total intake of n-3 PUFA represented only 30% of the presently available (Canadian) recommended daily allowance (CRDA) for 14- to 15-year-old boys (1.4 g/day) and 29% of the CRDA for 14- to 15-year-old girls (1.2 g/day).

Conclusions: Adolescents are aware of some of the health benefits of n-3 PUFA but lack concrete information about dietary requirements of n-3 PUFA and about n-3 PUFA content of various dietary sources.

Section snippets

Methods

Ninth graders in five Rhode Island public schools were invited to participate in an anonymous survey regarding their knowledge and dietary intake of n-3 PUFA. A letter was sent to parents or guardians informing them about the proposed survey and requesting that they notify the school if they did not consent to their child’s participation. The survey consisted of a 24-h dietary recall of the foods and beverages consumed during the day (weekday) before the survey, and of 12 questions assessing

Participants’ characteristics

After parental consent, 1117 adolescents agreed to participate in the study. Only 1% of the parents approached did not consent to their children’s participation. The average age of the adolescents was 14.8 ± 0.02 years, with 52% females and 48% males. The ethnic distribution included white (38%), Hispanic (23%), Portuguese (13%), African-American (11%), Asian-American (10%), and Cape Verdean (5%). Calculated BMI was 22.2 ± 0.2 in boys and 21.2 ± 0.2 in girls (p < .001); 61% of boys and 76% of

Discussion

The present study indicates that many adolescents are aware of some of the main health benefits of n-3 PUFA but lack information about requirements, sources, and amounts.

Data have been accumulating about the health benefits of VLC n-3 PUFA and their important role in disease prevention. Many epidemiologic, interventional, and animal studies have shown that an adequate consumption of n-3 PUFA of marine origin may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and ischemic stroke 3, 4, 5

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Wendy Wholey and Karen Autieri for skillful preparation of the manuscript, and Cheryl Franklin for assistance. The authors thank all the adolescents who participated in the study and the administrations of Hope, Classical, Mt. Pleasant, Foster-Glocester High Schools, and Martin Junior High School.

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