A new study from Northwestern University shows Chicago parents need more omega-3 fatty acids.
The survey-based study examined the diets of over a thousand parents across every Chicago neighborhood, finding parental intake of omega-3s falls below recommended levels.
Researchers found women consume lower amounts than men, with mothers in the survey consuming just over 130 mg/day, on average. Fathers consumed just over 160 mg/day.
Particularly relevant for children’s health, women who had previously experienced a premature birth reported consuming less omega-3s than those who had not.
Omega-3 fatty acids (specifically eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA) are found in high concentrations in seafoods and in lower concentrations in eggs, poultry and other foods. They support brain development, cognitive function and retina health, help regulate immunity and inflammatory responses in the body, and play a crucial role in adults’ cardiovascular health.
The study also found several factors were associated with lower omega-3 intake from food, including lower household income and certain self-reported racial and ethnic backgrounds.
While the study included only Chicagoans, the authors said the findings were likely representative of the wider U.S. parent population.
The findings were published in the journal Nutrients.