Supplementation of Omega - 3 Rich Food on Growth and Cognitive Performance of Preschool Children
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Date
2013
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
UAS, Dharwad
Abstract
Omega-3 fatty acids are important for growth, development and cognitive abilities.
Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) being an exceptionally rich vegetarian source of omega-3
fatty acids an investigation was undertaken to assess the impact of supplementation of
omega-3 rich flaxseed laddu in on growth and cognitive performance of preschool children.
The study was conducted in two separate groups of children (25 in each) administered either
flaxseed laddu (experimental group) or wheat laddu (placebo group) for three months. A
matched control group was also maintained. Results of dietary intervention revealed that
there was significant increase in height from 102.99 cm to 103.37 cm and weight from 12.92
kg to 14.88 kg after intervention in children of experimental group. In the children of placebo
group increase in height from 102.85 cm to 103.19 cm and weight from 12.98 kg to 13.09 kg
after intervention was observed. In control group there was increment in height from 103.70
cm to 104.10 cm and weight from 12.80 kg to 13.17 kg. A cent per cent shift in nutritional
status of wasted and stunted children to normal nutritional status was observed in the children
of experimental group. A significant improvement in cognitive scores for conceptual skills
from 19.00 to 20.20, visual skills was observed from 5.00 to 6.84 and memory skills from
3.54 to 6.12 after intervention was observed in the experimental group. It was also indicated
that the children in experimental group were more active than others. Educational
counselling of parents about significance of omega-3 fatty acids on growth and cognitive
performance of preschool children was highly successful. Omega-3 enriched flaxseed laddu
exhibited good acceptability among consumers across the society. Thus the study indicated
that omega-3 flaxseed laddu was proved to be beneficial in improving nutritional status and
cognitive parameters.