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In current society, childhood obesity has grown to become a huge problem. Childhood obesity can lead to an earlier onset of chronic health diseases and increase one's risk of become morbidly obese in adulthood. Due to these risks, several programs have worked to raise awareness about healthy food and drink choices. However, even though people might be worried about what their children eat, a new study is reporting that for some children under five-years-old, diets low in polyunsaturated fatty acids could be an issue.

One of the most important information to know when it comes to healthy dieting is what kinds of foods are good or bad for the body. When people hear the word fatty, they might automatically assume that the food is bad. However, nutrition experts have stressed that certain fatty acids are extremely good for the body. These polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are made up of omega-6 and omega-3 acids, are essential for human health.

In this study, the research team headed by Sarah Keim, Ph.D., from the Center for Biobehavioral Health at the Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital examined data on around 2,500 children between 12 and 60 months of age. The data was gathered from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The researchers knew that for young children, they typically get their intake of these fatty acids from breast milk or formula.

The researchers found that for children under five-years-old, their intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids was low. In particular, the children's levels of an essential fatty acid called DHA were also low. Since these acids are essential for cell function, inflammation, eye development and neural functioning, it is important that young children get a good balance of fatty acids in their diet.

"Only about 54 percent of children ate fish at least once in the previous month. Non-Hispanic black children were more likely than non-Hispanic white children to have eaten fish," Keim said according to Medical Xpress. "Because diet can be an important contributor to many diseases, it's important to understand how such disparities might contribute to disease risk."

Although there are currently no official recommendation for intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids, the researchers believe that the data they found indicated that children are not getting enough due to their lack of fish consumption. The researchers hope that parents will introduce these healthy foods early on in their children's lives so that they can start developing a healthy diet.

The study was published in Maternal and Child Nutrition.