According to a recent joint study by American and Canadian scientists, nearly 90 percent of all children in the United States and Canada may be omega 3 deficient. This is a startling number, particularly given that in children omega 3 plays a critical role in brain development, autoimmune development and eye sight. In addition, it is thought to impact the emotional state of some people as well.

As you can see from the results of this study, it is actually pretty safe to assume that if you live in the US or Canada, then your child probably is not getting enough omega 3. However, if you do not want to rely on the study alone, here are some indicators that your child may not be getting enough of this vital nutrient in their daily diet:

* They are easily distracted
Omega 3 deficiencies often lead to trouble with focus. In fact, many children who have been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD actually are suffering from severe omega 3 shortages in their systems. Of course, all children are fairly easy to distract, so you might want to consult with a dietician or observe your child in conjunction with other children to determine if there is an actual problem.

* Chronic breathing problems or headaches
Omega 3 deficiencies often manifest themselves in minor health issues, including asthma, headaches, stomach aches, ear infections and skin conditions. While all children will experience some of these issues over the course of their childhood, if you feel that the occurrences are too frequent, ask a doctor about a pediatric omega 3 supplement.

* Behavioral problems at school
Often the minor health issues and the focus issues detailed above manifest themselves in an extremely practical symptom: the child gets in regular trouble at school. Of course good behavior should be a requirement, but if your child appears to be misbehaving chronically, then it might be worth considering that there could be a nutritional issue at the heart of the matter.

Learn more about fish oil, fish oil health benefits and how it can impact your child’s health and yours at www.omega-3-us.