Fish-based diet in childhood 'may reduce risk of depression'
Parents may be able to reduce children's risk of depression in adolescence and adulthood by incorporating plenty of oily fish in their diet plans, new research suggests.Oily fish, such as tuna and salmon, is a good source of vitamin D, low levels of which are now thought to be associated with an increased risk of depression.
Researchers at the University of Bristol made the discovery after analysing data obtained from the Children of the 90s study, which has followed the health of thousands of children since their birth in the early 1990s.
Data on more than 2,700 participants revealed that those with higher levels of vitamin D at nine years of age were ten per cent less likely to have depression at 13 years of age than those with lower levels.
The findings are published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and suggest a need for further research, according to lead author Dr Anna-Maija Tolppanen.
She said: "Given the importance of depression in childhood and adolescence and the relative ease with which vitamin D levels could be increased with supplements, randomised controlled trials to assess its effectiveness in preventing depressive symptoms would be appropriate."
In addition to oily fish, dietary sources of vitamin D include eggs and fortified spreads and breakfast cereals.
