Skip to main content

Link Between Pregnant Women Eating Fish And Children ADHD

2 min read

By Jim Greene

A new U.S. study makes connections between children’s risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) later in life and the amount of fish their mothers consumed during pregnancy.

The study published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine reported that mothers who ate at least two servings of fish per week had an approximately 60 per cent lower risk of their kids showing some of the symptoms associated with ADHD.

But at the same time, the study found that children whose mothers had higher-than-normal levels of mercury, a substance often found in the bigger fish such as tuna and swordfish, had a higher risk of experiencing symptoms like hyperactivity, impulsiveness and inattentiveness.

For the study, researchers followed 788 children born near New Bedford, Massachusetts, between 1993 and 1998. Hair samples were taken from their mothers following delivery to test for mercury levels, while the expecting mothers kept food diaries so that researchers could monitor how much fish they ate.

When the children were around 8 years old, their teachers were asked to evaluate their behaviors so that the researchers could see how many exhibited ADHD-like symptoms.

The researchers discovered that mothers with 1 microgram of mercury per gram of hair – about 800% compared to the average levels found in the hair of similar women in another study – had a 60% higher risk of their child developing ADHD symptoms. But on the other hand, children appeared to be 60 per cent less likely to exhibit impulsive or hyperactive behaviors if their mothers ate two or more servings of fish per week during pregnancy.

The takeaway? The benefits of eating fish may offset the negative effects of exposure to low levels of mercury.

This finding contradicts the U.S. government’s recommendation that pregnant women should limit their exposure to mercury by having a maximum of two six-ounce servings of fish per week, calling this guideline into question. But the study’s lead author, Sharon Sagiv, cautioned that this was just one study, and suggested that the results should be confirmed by further research.

 Source: vancouversun.com

Jim Greene

Contributor

Jim has spent the last 5 years writing for a variety of health-related websites. At Activebeat, James is an essential member of the editorial team, providing information on exercise, diet & nutrition and men’s health – among many other things.

Diet and Nutrition News & Advice

Explore

How to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain Without Missing Out on Festive Treats
By Clarissa Vanner Diet and Nutrition News & Advice

How to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain Without Missing Out on Festive Treats

The holiday season is a time for celebration, delicious food, and festive treats, but it can also bring the challenge of weight gain. With tempting dishes and desserts everywhere, it’s easy to overindulge. However, it’s possible to enjoy the festivities without packing on extra pounds. By making mindful choices and incorporating a few healthy habits, […]

Read More about How to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain Without Missing Out on Festive Treats

3 min read

Easy Ways To Sneak More Protein in Your Diet
By Clarissa Vanner Diet and Nutrition News & Advice

Easy Ways To Sneak More Protein in Your Diet

Getting enough protein is essential for maintaining energy, building muscle, and supporting overall health, but it can sometimes feel challenging to meet your daily needs. Whether you’re looking to fuel an active lifestyle or simply enhance your meals, adding more protein doesn’t have to be complicated. Small changes to your routine, like incorporating high-protein snacks […]

Read More about Easy Ways To Sneak More Protein in Your Diet

4 min read

Dietary Fibre Affects More Than Your Colon: How the Immune System, Brain and Overall Health Benefit Too
By Mark Wulczynski Diet and Nutrition News & Advice

Dietary Fibre Affects More Than Your Colon: How the Immune System, Brain and Overall Health Benefit Too

There’s no shortage of advice about what to eat, including hype about the latest superfoods that will help you live to 100, or about the newest restrictive diets that claim to help you lose weight and look beautiful. As a researcher from the Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, I’m well aware that there is […]

Read More about Dietary Fibre Affects More Than Your Colon: How the Immune System, Brain and Overall Health Benefit Too

4 min read