The Feasibility of the “Omega Kid” Study Protocol: A Double-Blind, Randomised, Placebo-Controlled Trial Investigating the Effect of Omega-3 Supplementation on Self-Regulation in Preschool-Aged Children

Self-regulation, the regulation of behaviour in early childhood, impacts children’s success at school and is a predictor health, wealth, criminal outcomes adulthood. Self-regulation may be optimised by dietary supplementation omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFAs). The aim “Omega Kid” study to investigate feasibility protocol whether n-3 LCPUFA enhances self-regulation preschool-aged children. assessed involved double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial 12 weeks duration, with an intervention 1.6 g eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) docosahexaenoic (DHA) per day (0.3 EPA 1.3 DHA) microencapsulated powder compared placebo. Children (n = 78; 40 boys 38 girls) aged 3–5 years old were recruited randomly allocated treatment 39) or placebo group 39). HS–Omega-3 Index® served as manipulation check on delivery either active LCPUFAs) powders. Fifty-eight children (76%) completed (28–30 group). Compliance was high, 92% providing finger-prick blood sample baseline high reported-adherence (88%). Results indicate that feasible employed adequately powered clinical test hypothesis will improve