Omega-3 supplements reducing antisocial behaviour
Omega-3 supplementation may help reduce childhood antisocial and aggressive behaviour in females and children with high psychopathic-like personalities in an East Asian population, according to a study conducted by Dr Annis Fung Lai-chu, Associate Professor in the Department of Social and Behavioural Sciences, and her collaborators.
The findings are presented in an article titled “Omega-3 supplementation, child antisocial behaviour, and psychopathic personality: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, stratified, parallel group trial” published in the peer-reviewed journal European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.
There is growing interest in nutritional supplements, including omega-3, as an extra therapy for treating antisocial behaviours. Yet few studies have investigated the role of gender and psychopathy on omega-3 treatment outcomes. Aiming to fill the research gap, the CityU team designed a randomised controlled trial with the participation of 324 children aged 8 to 18 and their primary caregivers for a period spanning 12 months.
The participating children were randomised into three groups: 108 in the omega-3 group who were administered a juice drink with omega-3 supplementation daily; 110 who took a placebo that matched exactly with the omega-3 drink in terms of size, appearance and flavour; and 106 in the no-treatment control group. The caregivers and children were asked to complete measurements and questionnaires at month zero (start of treatment), six (end of treatment) and twelve (post-treatment follow-up).
Dr Annis Fung Lai-chu Two noteworthy observations were made. First, taking the omega-3 drink has a long-term effect on reducing antisocial behaviours among females at six months after the treatment. However, males in the omega-3 group and males and females in the two control groups showed no change over time.
Second, only those among the high psychopathic-like personality children who took the omega-3 drink showed a significant reduction in antisocial behaviours after treatment.
The paper points out that some prior studies have shown stronger efficacy in reducing antisocial behaviour in other countries and that the study was conducted in Hong Kong where the number of marine fish rich in omega-3 consumed per capita is the second highest in the world. Thus, the impact of taking the omega-3 supplement for enhancing neurobiological functioning and reducing antisocial behaviours may be limited.
Given nutritional supplementation is relatively non-invasive, has a modest cost and could protect against serious violence, the research team has argued that the current modest results cannot be dismissed. An omega-3 supplement is easy to administer and may help prevent huge societal costs caused by violent crime. The findings are subject to the future replication of similar trials.
Adapted from: https://research.class.cityu.edu.hk/efficacy-of-omega-3-supplementation-in-reducing-antisocial-behaviour/