8 out of 10 Indonesian School-Age Children Lack of DHA and Omega 3. How Does It Affect Children

A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition revealed that 8 out of 10 Indonesian children aged 4 - 12 years lacked DHA and omega 3 intake. The results of this study were quite alarming, because the intake of DHA and omega 3 had an important role in supporting children's growth and development. Children who lack DHA (docosahexanoic acid) and omega 3 intake tend to have learning difficulties, and even tend to be less intelligent. Parents must ensure that their daily intake of DHA and omega 3 is met properly, through the provision of food and drinks containing DHA and omega 3. Because, the body only produces DHA in small amounts, even omega 3 (ALA) is not produced by the body at all .

Impact of DHA and Omega 3 Deficiencies

Inadequate DHA and omega 3 intake will cause the child's growth and development to be disrupted, and cause the child to become:

1. It's hard to concentrate

Lack of intake of DHA and omega 3 in children can make it difficult for children to concentrate. Children who experience concentration problems tend to have difficulty in learning.

2. Lack of sleep and decreased immunity

Poor sleep patterns in children can be caused by lack of intake of DHA and omega 3. Children who lack both these nutrients and insufficient sleep time, are more susceptible to disease. This is because lack of sleep also weakens the child's immune system.

3. Less intelligent

Children who lack DHA and omega 3 tend to have lower levels of intelligence. This is because DHA levels in the brain can affect a child's IQ.

4. Impaired vision

The need for DHA and omega 3 that is not fulfilled can interfere with children's eye health, because DHA is one of the main components making up the retina of the eye.

How to Meet the Needs of DHA and Omega 3 in Children

To avoid the adverse effects of DHA and omega 3 deficiency on your child, make sure the needs of these two nutrients are properly met. The need for DHA and omega 3 in children depends on age. Children aged 1-3 years need DHA and omega 3 intake of 700 mg / day. Meanwhile, children aged 4-8 years need around 900 mg / day. Then children aged 9-13 years, need a greater intake, which is about 1000 mg - 1200 mg / day. To meet the daily DHA and omega 3 needs of children, make sure the child consumes foods containing DHA and omega 3. Various types of food that can be given include salmon, mackerel, fish oil, oysters, sardines, anchovies, tuna, or fish bloated. In addition, this important nutrient is also found in chia seeds, flaxseeds, walnuts, soybeans, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage and spinach. To ensure adequate amount of intake, parents can give milk containing DHA and omega 3. In addition, some types of milk are also enriched with other important nutrients needed by children, such as protein, fish oil, vitamins A, B, C, D, iron and calcium. The results of the study revealed that 8 out of 10 Indonesian children lack DHA and omega 3 intake, should be a warning for parents to pay more attention to the needs of both nutrients. Parents need to continue to provide food and drinks containing DHA and omega 3, so that the child's growth is not hampered.