Diet and Learning Abilities in Norwegian Youths

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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.

Detailed Description
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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.

Official Title
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Diet and Learning Abilities in Norwegian Youths

Conditions
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Cognitive Performance, Health Behavior, Nutrient Status

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Schoolmeal with fatty fish
* Other: Schoolmeal without fish
* Dietary Supplement: Supplement


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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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

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 14 Years
Maximum Age: 15 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Schoolmeal with fatty fish<br>Fatty fish diet | Other: Schoolmeal with fatty fish<br>* Schoolmeal with fatty fish three times a week for 12 weeks<br>|
| Experimental: Schoolmeal without fish<br>Meat/cheese diet (non-seafood) | Other: Schoolmeal without fish<br>* Schoolmeal with meat/cheese three times a week for 12 weeks<br>|
| Experimental: Supplement<br>Omega-3 capsules | Dietary Supplement: Supplement<br>* Omega-3 capsules three times a week for 12 weeks<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Concentration performance and literary skills | 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. | 12 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Fatty acids | Levels of fatty acids in red blood cells before and after the intervention | 12 weeks | 
| Vitamin D status | Levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D in serum blood before and after the intervention | 12 weeks | 
| Mental health | Mental health status measured by the Strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ) | 12 weeks | 
| Iodine | Levels of iodine in urine samples before and after the intervention | 12 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Diet, concentration, seafood, youths, Norway, Nutrient status in blood, Inflammatory markers