Survey Shows Most U.S. Parents Unaware of DHA Benefits

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Survey Shows Most U.S. Parents Unaware of DHA Benefits

A recent Children’s Nutrition Survey indicates that a majority of U.S. parents aren’t aware of the critical benefits DHA offers in the development of their children.

The survey was conducted online within the U.S. by Harris Interactive, Rochester, NY, on behalf of Stremicks Heritage Foods, Santa Ana, CA, between March 20-25, 2008 among 1244 U.S. adults ages 18+ who are parents or legal guardians of children under the age of 18.

Research reveals that 68% of U.S. parents are not sure what omega 3 DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) does, and 59% of parents are not aware of the benefits of DHA to their child’s health.

Though nearly three in four (72%) survey respondents said that they make a conscious effort to include certain vitamins and nutrients such as vitamin C (55%) and calcium (53%) in their child’s daily diet, only 7% are consciously including omega 3 DHA. While about one in five are aware of the importance of DHA before (19%) and during pregnancy (22%), less than one in five recognize the importance of this nutrient to a newborn (18%) or infant (18%). Even fewer know that DHA is especially important to the health of toddlers (16%) and preschool-aged children (14%).

DHA is an omega 3 fatty acid found throughout the body, with significant amounts found in the heart, retinas and brain, where it accounts for up to 20% of total brain mass. DHA is important for brain and eye development and function throughout the lifecycle, but is particularly important between birth and five years of age, when the brain increases approximately three-and-a-half times in mass, and DHA content increases from 1 gram to approximately 4.5 grams. DHA also is the primary structural fat in both the brain and retina, and ensures that cells in the brain, retina, heart and other parts of the nervous system develop and function properly.

While FDA does not have a regulation establishing a recommended daily intake for DHA, the agency has not objected to the use of 160 mg as a daily value for DHA for children older than four years and adults. Many leading health authorities and pediatricians recommend 150 mg/day for children. The average U.S. child, ages from one to five years old, is shown to have DHA intakes ranging from only 20 to 30 mg/day.



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