Eating enough of one food could be linked to children being social and kind, a study has found
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Shot of a little girl eating fruit salad
One common food could support behavioural development, new research finds
(Image: Getty Images)
Nutrition experts are calling on parents to give children "their best start in life" by changing their diet following a report which claimed children lacking one common food in their diet are less likely to be sociable and kind.
The new study suggests that children who eat fish twice a week are more likely to exhibit "prosocial" behaviour, like friendliness and sharing.
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Research, conducted by scientists at the University of Bristol, has highlighted a link between fish intake and behavioural development in children. Previous studies have shown that nutrients in seafood like omega-3s, selenium and iodine play an important role in brain development.
The study found that nearly all children in the study did not meet NHS recommendations for seafood consumption. The NHS says that a 'healthy, balanced diet' should include at least two portions of fish a week, including one of oily fish like salmon, mackerel or sardines.
Two raw fish fillets, salmon
The NHS says a healthy diet includes one portion of oily fish, like salmon, per week
The study's authors say that prosocial behaviour is vital to a well-functioning society. However, children who consumed the least amounts of seafood at age seven were less prosocial at ages seven and nine, meaning they were less friendly and more selfish.
Dr Caroline Taylor, Associate Professor in Nutrition at the University of Bristol, said: “Our evidence to link fish consumption in children with the best behavioural development is clear, and we strongly recommend parents to provide at least two portions of fish a week in accordance with NHS guidelines. We hope these research findings empower parents with the knowledge to give their children the best start in life.”
The study looked at questionnaire data from nearly 6,000 participants within the 'Children of the 90s' study – a long-term health research project that enrolled more than 14,500 pregnant women in 1991 and 1992. The data was collected over a period of two years and accounted for various social and demographic factors.
Fish fingers with mashed potato, peas and carrots
Coated fish like fish fingers made up nearly half of kid's seafood intake in the study
It found that 7.2 per cent of children ate no fish every week, 63.9 per cent ate one to 190 grams per week, and 28.9 per cent ate more than 190 grams of fish each week, which is the equivalent of more than two portions. It also found that 'white-coated fish products' like fish fingers made up almost half (46 per cent) of the average total seafood intake.
Children aged seven who consumed no fish, were 35 per cent more likely to display below average behavioural development than those who ate at least 190 grams of fish each week. For those aged nine, this figure was 43 per cent.
Dr Taylor said: "Our previous studies have shown that eating fish during pregnancy in the UK can have a positive effect on child development. This has also been found in countries where fish intakes are higher than they are here, so encouraging fish consumption is likely to have a positive effect on child development."
The study was published in the European Journal of Nutrition.