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Completed

NCT Number: NCT02350322

Diet and Learning Abilities in Norwegian Youths

The aim of this study is to assess the effects of giving a schoolmeal with fatty fish, a schoolmeal without fish or omega-3 capsules on Noregian adolescents cognitive performance (concentration and learning abilities), mental health statua and markers of nutritional status. In addition, to disentangle the effect of fatty fish eaten as food and the effects of omega-3 fatty acids taken as a supplement.

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Key information

Conditions

Cognitive Performance Behavior Health Behavior Nutrient Status

Age range

14 year–15 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Lisbeth Dahl

Bergen, 5004, Norway

About this study

There has been an increased attention to the role of nutrition for learning abilities among schoolchildren. As the diet provides humans with energy and several essential nutrients, a balanced supply of all nutrients promotes not only physical growth and health, but also cognitive development, helping children to learn from infancy throughout adolescence and beyond. In a three-armed non-blinded intervention trial the investigators will test whether ingestion of a schoolmeal or omega-3 capsules will improve cognitive function among pupils in 9th grade at eight lower secondary school. The pupils will be randomised into three groups, one group will be served lunch with fatty fish, one group will be served similar lunch with meat/cheese (without fish) and one group will recieve omega-3 capsules three times week over a period of 12 weeks. At the beginning and at the end of the study, pupils should conduct cognitive tests, and blood-, urine- and hair samples will be taken. The pupils should also answer a questionnaire on their diet, physical activity, sleep pattern and mental health.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • girls and boys at lower secondary schools (9th grade)

Exclusion criteria

  • allergy or intolerance to the food or food ingredients in the study

Treatment and study plan

Schoolmeal with fatty fish

Other

Schoolmeal with fatty fish three times a week for 12 weeks

Schoolmeal without fish

Other

Schoolmeal with meat/cheese three times a week for 12 weeks

Supplement

Dietary Supplement

Omega-3 capsules three times a week for 12 weeks

Primary outcomes

  1. Concentration performance and literary skills

    Time frame: 12 weeks

    Age stanardardized d2 test of attention. Abilities in reading and spelleing through a Norwegain based intrument developed to evaluate the childrens literacy skills in the Norwegain language.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Fatty acids

    Time frame: 12 weeks

    Levels of fatty acids in red blood cells before and after the intervention

  2. Vitamin D status

    Time frame: 12 weeks

    Levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D in serum blood before and after the intervention

  3. Mental health

    Time frame: 12 weeks

    Mental health status measured by the Strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ)

  4. Iodine

    Time frame: 12 weeks

    Levels of iodine in urine samples before and after the intervention

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research, Norway

Other Gov

Collaborators

  • NORCE Norwegian Research Centre AS
  • University of Tromso

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2015
Primary completion
2015
Study completion
2015
First posted
Jan 29, 2015
Registry last updated
Jan 12, 2016

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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