In September 2018 researchers from Denmark published the results of their study to assess the effect of omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation during pregnancy on the measurements and proportions of the human body in the offspring. A total of 736 pregnant women and their offspring were involved in the study. Each individual took either omega-3 supplementation (fish oil) or a control (olive oil) supplementation daily from pregnancy week 24 until one week after birth. Height/length, weight, head, and waist measurements were assessed. Results showed that average BMI was increased between age 0 and 6 years in the omega-3 supplementation group compared with the control group. At age 6 years, the omega-3 supplementation was associated with a higher BMI, a higher weight/height and a larger waist circumference but not a higher proportion of obese children. In addition those children given the omega-3 supplementation were seen to have a proportional increase in lean, bone, and fat mass suggesting a general growth stimulating effect of the omega-3 supplementation.
Vinding RK et al. Effect of fish oil supplementation in pregnancy on bone, lean, and fat mass at six years: randomised clinical trial. BMJ. 2018 Sep 4;362:k3312