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document
A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial investigating the behavioural effects of vitamin , mineral and n-3 fatty acid supplementation in typically developing adolescent schoolchildren . Nutrient deficiencies have been implicated in anti-social behaviour in schoolchildren ; hence , correcting them may improve sociability . We therefore tested the effects of vitamin , mineral and n-3 supplementation on behaviour in a 12-week double-blind randomised placebo-controlled trial in typically developing UK adolescents aged 13-16 years ( n 196 ) . Changes in erythrocyte n-3 and 6 fatty acids and some mineral and vitamin levels were measured and compared with behavioural changes , using Conners ' teacher ratings and school disciplinary records . At baseline , the children 's PUFA ( n-3 and n-6 ) , vitamin and mineral levels were low , but they improved significantly in the group treated with n-3 , vitamins and minerals ( P=0·0005 ) . On the Conners disruptive behaviour scale , the group given the active supplements improved , whereas the placebo group worsened ( F=5·555 , d=0·35 ; P=0·02 ) . The general level of disciplinary infringements was low , thus making it difficult to obtain improvements . However , throughout the school term school disciplinary infringements increased significantly ( by 25 % ; Bayes factor=115 ) in both the treated and untreated groups . However , when the subjects were split into high and low baseline infringements , the low subset increased their offences , whereas the high-misbehaviour subset appeared to improve after treatment . But it was not possible to determine whether this was merely a statistical artifact . Thus , when assessed using the validated and standardised Conners teacher tests ( but less clearly when using school discipline records in a school where misbehaviour was infrequent ) , supplementary nutrition might have a protective effect against worsening behaviour .
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Intervention_Control
placebo-controlled
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Intervention_Pharmacological
vitamin , mineral and n-3 fatty acid supplementation
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Intervention_Pharmacological
vitamin , mineral and n-3 supplementation
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Intervention_Pharmacological
vitamin
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Intervention_Pharmacological
mineral
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Intervention_Pharmacological
vitamins and minerals
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Outcome_Physical
vitamin and mineral levels
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Outcome_Mental
the Conners disruptive behaviour scale
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Outcome_Other
The general level of disciplinary infringements
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Outcome_Other
term school disciplinary infringements
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Participant_Age
adolescent schoolchildren
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Participant_Age
adolescents aged 13-16 years
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Participant_Sample-size
n 196