A new report has found that Australian children’s health could be at stake unless they start eating five times more fish and other food rich in omega-3s than they are currently consuming.

The report, which was released 19 September 2007, has been produced by an international team of nutrition scientists and health experts including Associate Professor Barbara Meyer from the Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences at the University of Wollongong.

The evidence is strong enough to suggest healthcare professionals should consider omega-3s (a type of polyunsaturated fat) as an adjunct in the treatment of children with developmental brain disorders such as ADHD, dyslexia and dyspraxia.

The report recommends an intake of at least 500mg of omega-3 DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) per day for children aged 14 years or over. Research by Professor Meyer indicates that most children only consume between 34 and 118mg per day.

Professor Meyer, who has expertise in omega-3 fatty acids and their health benefits, said the findings are the result of conclusions that were reached at a Scientific Consensus Workshop held in Sydney earlier this year.

The workshop was born out of the need to better understand the role omega-3s have on children’s health in Australia, with panel experts all agreeing they require far more than current dietary intake research indicates. At the workshop, Professor Meyer and the other scientists analysed the body of evidence linking omega-3 nutrients to a critical role in the physical and mental wellbeing of children.

They are now calling on the Federal Government to set recommended dietary guidelines for intakes of long chain omega-3s at a level that will benefit the health of Australian children, saying that current recommendations are too low.

Scientific research is uncovering major roles for long chain Omega-3s in growth and development, cardiovascular disease, mental and behavioural health, diabetes and inflammatory diseases.