In recent years, the rise in childhood obesity rates has sparked concerns globally. Environmental factors during pregnancy are recognized as influential in shaping infants’ future health outcomes. Among these factors, the consumption of fatty fish-derived n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) has garnered attention for its potential health benefits. However, a recent study sheds light on potential risks associated with fish oil supplementation during pregnancy.
The research, conducted by experts who previously conducted a randomized controlled trial on fish oil supplementation during the third trimester of pregnancy, aimed to investigate its long-term effects on offspring. Published findings unveiled in-depth insights into the impact of fish oil supplementation on child growth and metabolic health at ten years of age.
Key Details of the Trial:
The study encompassed 736 pregnant women and their offspring participating in the Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood mother-child cohort.
Pregnant women were randomly assigned to either the intervention group, receiving 2.4 grams of n-3 LCPUFAs daily, or the control group, receiving look-alike capsules of olive oil.
Parameters assessed included anthropometric measurements, body composition, blood pressure, lipid concentrations, fasting glucose levels, and metabolic syndrome scores.
Crucial Findings:
Analysis of 688 children revealed that those in the intervention group exhibited significantly higher BMI and increased risk of overweight compared to the control group.
Adjustments for strong risk factors related to childhood growth attenuated observed differences in BMI and overweight risk between the groups.
Children in the intervention group displayed non-significantly higher lean mass, fat mass, and fat percentage compared to controls.
Metabolic assessments indicated no significant impact on blood glucose, lipid levels, waist circumference, or blood pressure.
However, children in the intervention group showed tendencies toward unhealthier metabolic profiles, reflected in higher metabolic syndrome scores.
Mediation analysis suggested that observed outcomes were not influenced by physical activity, dietary habits, or puberty stage.
Implications of the Study:
The study highlights that children born to mothers receiving LCPUFA supplementation during pregnancy may face heightened risks of elevated BMI, overweight, and metabolic disturbances at ten years of age.
These findings underscore potential adverse health impacts associated with fish oil or LCPUFA supplementation during pregnancy, emphasizing the need for further research and careful consideration of supplementation recommendations.
In summary, while fish oil supplementation during pregnancy has been heralded for its potential benefits, this study prompts a reevaluation of its implications on offspring health, urging vigilance in prenatal supplementation practices.
