Does eating seafood make kids more social? New study suggests a link

Study: Children who eat little seafood by age seven may show lower prosocial behavior

Children who consume little to no seafood by seven years of age may be less inclined to engage in prosocial behaviors – such as sharing, cooperating and helping others – compared to their peers who eat fish regularly, according to a new study from the University of Bristol.

In the “Children of the 90s” study, researchers measured prosocial behavior through parent questionnaires when children were 7 and 9 years old. They also examined whether seafood consumption at age 7 was linked to IQ, but found no association.

The research suggests a link between seafood intake and social development, adding to the growing evidence on diet’s role in childhood behavior. Seafood, a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, selenium and iodine, is recommended at least twice a week for children, with one serving ideally coming from oily fish such as salmon or mackerel.

“Our evidence to link fish consumption in children with the best behavioral development is clear, and we strongly recommend parents to provide at least two portions of fish a week in accordance with NHS guidelines,” said Dr. Caroline Taylor, associate professor in nutrition at the University of Bristol. “We hope these research findings empower parents with the knowledge to give their children the best start in life.”

The findings come from questionnaire data on 5,969 participants in the “Children of the 90s” study, a long-term research project tracking children since birth. Researchers analyzed data collected over two years, adjusting for social and demographic factors. The study adds to ongoing research on diet and childhood development.

Much of the existing research on seafood and cognition has focused on fish consumption during pregnancy and its effects on the fetus. Fewer studies have examined the role of fish in children’s diets, leaving questions about its direct impact on brain development unanswered. Researchers have previously called for more studies on seafood intake in childhood to better understand its potential influence on behavior and cognition.

The study found that most children were not eating enough seafood to meet NHS recommendations. This shortfall may stem from longstanding concerns about pollutants like mercury, which have led some experts to caution against excessive fish consumption. While seafood is a key source of essential nutrients, balancing its benefits with potential risks has remained a challenge for parents and health officials alike.

“When there’s conflicting advice, it can be difficult to know what the best course of action is,” said Taylor. “Our previous studies have shown that eating fish during pregnancy in the UK can have a positive effect on child development. This has also been found in countries where fish intakes are higher than they are here, so encouraging fish consumption is likely to have a positive effect on child development.”

The “Children of the 90s” study, which provided the data for this research, has recently received £5.2 million (about $6.6 million USD) to continue its long-term health research on thousands of families in southwest England. Established in the early 1990s by Professor Jean Golding, the study has contributed to more than 3,000 research papers. With the new funding, researchers will expand their focus to the study’s third generation of participants, furthering its legacy of this health research.

Read the full study.