Why we’re talking about this
Omega-3 fatty acids — especially EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) — are big players in kids’ health. They help brains focus, eyes see clearly, and bodies stay in balance. The catch? Most UK kids simply aren’t eating enough oily fish — the best natural source of omega-3.
Over the past decade, scientists and dietitians have dug into this issue. Here’s what the research really tells us.
2013 – The Reading Connection
In 2013, researchers in Oxfordshire ran the DOLAB Study with nearly 500 children aged 7–9 who had below average reading performance. They measured blood levels of omega-3 and found they were very low — far below what’s considered optimal.
And here’s the striking bit: the children with the lowest DHA levels also had weaker reading scores, poorer memory and more behaviour difficulties. In short, omega-3 wasn’t just about diet — it connected directly to how kids were learning and behaving in class.
2017 – Dietitians weigh in
By 2017, the British Dietetic Association (BDA) published its own fact sheet on fish oils and children. Their review backed up what many parents already suspected: omega-3 is important for brain development, vision and behaviour.
The BDA also highlighted the problem — most UK children were not meeting the official advice of one portion of oily fish per week. For families struggling to get kids to eat sardines or salmon, supplements were seen as a practical solution.
2020 – The numbers don’t lie
The UK Government’s National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS), covering 2016–2019, confirmed just how short intake was:
• Only about 12–13% of children aged 4–11 were considered “oily fish consumers.”
• Teenagers (11–18 years) managed an average of less than 20 g per week — just a couple of forkfuls.
Compare that to the official advice of 140 g per week, and you can see the gap is huge.
2021 – Fresh evidence, same story
A 2021 study from the University of Bristol, using data from the long-term ALSPAC “Children of the 90s” cohort, looked again at school-aged kids. Their dietary intake of DHA was still far below recommended levels.
And just like in 2013, the children with the lowest DHA intakes scored lower on reading and memory tests. Nearly a decade later, the same story was playing out again.
What all this tells us
Across different studies and different years, the message is clear:
• UK kids are not getting enough omega-3 (EPA + DHA).
• Low omega-3 levels are linked with learning, focus, memory and behaviour challenges.
• Health authorities like EFSA and the BDA confirm that DHA contributes to normal brain and vision development in children.
• Despite years of advice, most children are still falling well short of the “one portion of oily fish per week” guideline.
That’s why supplements can be such a helpful safety net. They don’t replace a healthy diet, but they do help families bridge the gap — especially when they come in fruity, fun, kid-friendly formats that turn nutrition into something children actually enjoy.
⭐ References (for the curious grown-ups):
• Montgomery et al., Low Blood Long Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acids in UK Children (7–9 yrs, below average readers), PLOS ONE, 2013
• British Dietetic Association, Food Fact Sheet: Fish oils and children, 2017 (updated)
• UK Government, National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS), Years 9–11 combined, 2020
• University of Bristol, ALSPAC Study – Children of the 90s, 2021
