Omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratio and higher-order cognitive functions in 7- to 9-y-olds: a cross-sectional study

• Published in: The American journal of clinical nutrition 2013-09, Vol.98 (3), p.659-667
• Main Authors: Sheppard and, Kelly W, Cheatham, Carol L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Child; children; Childrens health; clinical nutrition; cognition; Cognition - drug effects; Cognitive ability; cognitive development; Cross-Sectional Studies; demographic statistics; Diet; Diet Records; Dietary Fats - pharmacology; Executive Function - drug effects; fatty acid composition; Fatty acids; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - pharmacology; Fatty Acids, Omega-6 - pharmacology; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Male; memory; Memory - drug effects; Neuropsychological Tests; Nutrition research; omega-3 fatty acids; parents; planning; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems
• ISSN: 0002-9165; 1938-3207
• DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.113.058719

Background: Biochemical and behavioral evidence has suggested that the ratio of n−6 (omega-6) to n−3 (omega-3) could be an important predictor of executive function abilities in children.Objective: We determined the relation between the ratio of n−6 to n−3 and cognitive function in children. We hypothesized that children with lower ratios of n−6 to n−3 fatty acids would perform better on tests of planning and working memory.Design: Seventy 7- to 9-y-old children completed three 24-h diet recalls and a subset of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Assessment Battery. Parents provided information on their demographics and children's diet histories.Results: Mean n−3 and mean n−6 intakes were related to the mean time spent on each action taken in the planning problem. The ratio of n−6 to n−3 significantly predicted performance on the working memory and planning problems. There was a significant interaction between the ratio and fatty acid intake; when children had high ratios, a higher intake of n−3 fatty acids predicted a better performance on the planning task than when children had lower n−3 intakes. When children had low ratios, a lower intake of n−3 and lower intake of n−6 predicted better performance than when intakes were higher.Conclusions: The relation between cognitive abilities and the ratio of n−6 to n−3 may be mediated by an enzymatic affinity for n−3 fatty acids. The ratio of n−6 to n−3 should be considered an important factor in the study of fatty acids and cognitive development. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01823419.