A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial investigating the behavioural effects of vitamin, mineral and n-3 fatty acid supplementation in typically developing adolescent schoolchildren. Issue 2 (17th November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tammam, Jonathan D.; Steinsaltz, David; Bester, D. W.; Semb-Andenaes, Turid; Stein, John F.
• Is Part Of: British journal of nutrition. Volume 115:Issue 2(2016)
• Page Start: 361
• Page End: 373
• Publication Date: 2015-11-17
• Subjects: n-3 Supplementation, -- Micronutrient supplementation, -- Behaviour, -- Adolescents, -- PUFA; Nutrition -- Periodicals; 572.4
• DOI: 10.1017/S0007114515004390
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1145

Abstract

Abstract: Nutrient deficiencies have been implicated in anti-social behaviour in schoolchildren; hence, correcting them may improve sociability. We therefore tested the effects of vitamin, mineral and n -3 supplementation on behaviour in a 12-week double-blind randomised placebo-controlled trial in typically developing UK adolescents aged 13–16 years ( n 196). Changes in erythrocyte n -3 and 6 fatty acids and some mineral and vitamin levels were measured and compared with behavioural changes, using Conners' teacher ratings and school disciplinary records. At baseline, the children's PUFA ( n -3 and n -6), vitamin and mineral levels were low, but they improved significantly in the group treated with n -3, vitamins and minerals ( P =0·0005). On the Conners disruptive behaviour scale, the group given the active supplements improved, whereas the placebo group worsened ( F =5·555, d =0·35; P =0·02). The general level of disciplinary infringements was low, thus making it difficult to obtain improvements. However, throughout the school term school disciplinary infringements increased significantly (by 25 %; Bayes factor=115) in both the treated and untreated groups. However, when the subjects were split into high and low baseline infringements, the low subset increased their offences, whereas the high-misbehaviour subset appeared to improve after treatment. But it was not possible to determine whether this was merely a statistical artifact. Thus, when assessed using the validated and standardised Conners teacher tests (but less clearly when using school discipline records in a school where misbehaviour was infrequent), supplementary nutrition might have a protective effect against worsening behaviour.