# Parental Intake of Eicosapentaenoic and Docosahexaenoic Acids in a Diverse, Urban City in the United States Is Associated with Indicators of Children’s Health Potential

## TL;DR

This study finds that parents in Chicago consume less EPA and DHA than recommended, which may impact children's health outcomes like preterm birth.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into how parental EPA and DHA intake varies by income, race, and ethnicity in a diverse urban population.

## Key findings

- Mothers consumed less EPA+DHA than fathers, with a mean difference of 27.1 mg/d.
- Lower household income and lower Childhood Opportunity Index scores were linked to lower EPA+DHA intake.
- DHA-containing supplement use was associated with higher EPA+DHA intake.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: Parents achieving recommended eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acid intake can improve the health of parents and their children. Evidence links higher DHA intake to lower preterm birth (PTB) risk. With parental intake poorly defined, the objective is to characterize EPA and DHA intake by parents with children in households in a diverse, urban city. Methods: Parents with ≥1 child in the household completed a validated seven-question food frequency questionnaire to assess consumption of foods contributing most to EPA and DHA intake in American diets during the cross-sectional Voices of Child Health in Chicago Panel Survey (May–July 2022). Female respondents reported prior PTB. Home/residence information was linked to the Childhood Opportunity Index (COI). Multivariable linear regression and survey-weighted models evaluated parental characteristics associated with EPA+DHA intake. Pairwise comparisons estimated intake differences (mean (SE)) among groups. Results: Chicago parents (n = 1057) reported lower-than-recommended EPA+DHA intake and mothers consumed less compared to fathers (difference: 27.1 (11.4) mg/d; p = 0.02). Prior PTB was associated with lower EPA+DHA intake, yet DHA-containing supplement use, which occurred in ~25% of parents, was associated with higher intake (p < 0.05). Lower household income and a lower COI were associated with lower intake while parental race and ethnicity categories were also associated with intake (all p < 0.05); intake differed for mothers and fathers based on Black race and Hispanic ethnicity categories. Conclusions: The findings suggest that efforts aimed at improving parental EPA+DHA intake to improve the health of families should account for multidimensional influences on household food choices.