The Role of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Aggression, Antisocial Behaviors, and Crime: A Systematic Review Público
Chapman Mesirow, Maurissa Sydney (2014)
Published
Abstract
Conduct disorders, oppositional defiant disorders, aggression, and antisocial behaviors are some of the most commonly diagnosed deviant behavioral disorders among children and adolescents today. Youth with these disorders violate societal rules, perform acts of delinquency, and have a greater risk for criminal activity in later adolescence and adulthood. The earlier children start to exhibit these behavioral issues, the more likely they are to become and remain delinquent in their lifetime.
Omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated acids (PUFAs) are important for neural development during fetal stages and in childhood. Deficiencies in omega-3 PUFAs, or high levels of omega-6 PUFAs, can impair neural processes that are important for regulating behaviors, and have been implicated in the etiology of aggression and antisocial behaviors. Dietary trends in the United States has shifted greatly in the last century, introducing high levels of omega-6 PUFAs in to the average diet, which may have attributed to the higher prevalence of deviant behaviors in recent decades.
Observational studies and clinical trials have investigated the effects of omega-3 PUFAs in mediating aggression, antisocial activity, conduct disorders, and similar behaviors commonly associated with juvenile delinquency and criminal activity. While the results are mixed, there is a fair amount of evidence that supplementation with omega-3 PUFAs in childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood may alleviate deviant and antisocial behaviors. This knowledge may be important for understanding the etiologies of delinquent and criminal behavior in the United States.
Table of Contents
List of Abbreviations 1
Introduction 2
Chapter 1: Aggressive, Antisocial, and Delinquent Behaviors
4
1.1 Defining aggression, behavioral and personality disorders
4
1.1.1 Behavioral disorders 5
1.1.2 Personality disorders 7
1.2 Self-reported prevalence of aggression, conduct disorders,
violence, and criminal behavior does not correlate with decreasing
criminal arrest rates 10
1.2.1 Criminal Arrest rates 11
1.2.2 Self-reported data on conduct issues and criminal activity
15
1.3 Summary 22
Chapter 2: Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids - Definitions &
Dietary Trends 23
2.1 Introduction 23
2.2 Defining polyunsaturated fatty acids 23
2.3 Dietary sources and importance of omega-3 and omega-6
polyunsaturated fatty acids 25
2.4 Polyunsaturated fatty acids in breast feeding and
formula-feeding 28
2.5 Maintaining omega-3 and omega-6 balance 29
2.6 n-6:n-3 imbalances and implications in neurological and
psychological abnormalities 30
2.7 Changing dietary patterns and fatty acid composition of the
U.S. diet in the United States in the 20th and 21st centuries
32
2.7.1 Fatty acid composition of the U.S. diet: 1909-1999 32
2.7.2 Fatty acid composition of the U.S. diet: 1980-2012 37
2.8 Summary 44
Chapter 3: Biological Plausibility for the link between
Nutrition and Conduct Disorders, Juvenile Delinquency, and
Antisocial Behaviors 45
3.1 Overview 45
3.2 Biological plausibility of n-3 PUFAs in neurological
development and behavior outcomes 45
3.2.1 n-3 PUFA deficiencies and neurological mechanisms: dopamine
46
3.2.2 n-3 PUFA deficiencies and neurological mechanisms: serotonin
48
3.2.3 n-3 PUFA deficiencies and neurological mechanisms: glucose
metabolism 49
3.2.4 Structural changes in brain and abnormal behavioral
development 49
3.3 Gender differences in n-3 PUFA status and metabolism 50
3.4 Summary of biological plausibility 52
Chapter 4: Studies on Fatty Acid Intake and Behavioral
Outcomes 53
4.1 Overview of behavioral studies with PUFA supplementation
53
4.2 Methodology: study selection 53
4.3 Assessment of observational studies 54
4.4 Assessment of randomized control trials 59
4.4.1 Randomized control trials in children less than 18 years of
age 59
4.4.2 Randomized control trials in adults 18 years of age or older
64
4.5 Summary of findings from observational studies and randomized
control trials 69
Chapter 5: Summary of Findings, Limitations, and Future
Directions 70
5.1 Summary of findings 70
5.2 Limitations in assessing antisocial behaviors, delinquency, and
criminality 71
5.3 Limitations in assessing dietary trends in PUFA consumption
71
5.4 Limitations of current studies assessing the link between PUFA
consumption and behaviors related to delinquency and violence
73
5.5 Conclusions and future Directions 75
References 76
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