Two recent ALSPAC studies show that even small changes to our diet and day-to-day activity can have a huge impact on our health.

The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) is following the health and lifestyle of 14 000 children born in 1991–92. One valuable application is to assess whether factors affecting pregnancy have an influence later in life.

In the USA, for example, pregnant women are advised to limit their consumption of seafood, as it can contain trace amounts of contaminants such as methylmercury, which can harm the developing brain of the fetus. However, seafood is the main source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for neural development.

The ALSPAC study revealed that children of mothers who ate more than three portions of seafood a week during pregnancy had better neurological function than children whose mothers ate little or no seafood. Advice to limit seafood consumption may therefore be detrimental.

A second study provides robust evidence of the link between physical activity and obesity in children. More than 5000 12-year-olds wore a movement-sensitive monitor to measure their activity levels. They also had their body fat measured.

The results showed that just 15 minutes a day of moderate exercise – such as walking to school instead of taking the car – almost halved a child's chances of being obese.

Image credit: Anthea Sieveking

External links

• Hibbeln JR et al. Maternal seafood consumption in pregnancy and neurodevelopmental outcomes in childhood (ALSPAC study): an observational cohort study. Lancet 2007 369(9561):578–85.
• Ness AR et al. Objectively measured physical activity and fat mass in a large cohort of children. PLoS Med 2007;4(3):e97.