Women who consume oily fish in the second half of their pregnancy have a higher chance of giving birth to healthier children, according to a new study.
Researchers examined 736 pregnant women and split them up into two groups.
One group were given either fish oil or olive oil daily from week 24 of pregnancy week until one week postpartum.
Scientists found those who had the supplements, their children put on healthy weight faster in their first six years of life, than the children whose mothers didn't.
The researchers concluded the weight gain was mainly due to the form of bone density rather than unhealthy fat.
The study was of particular interest, as previous studies concluded pregnant women taking fish oil gave birth to bigger babies, but the impact on children as they grew had not yet been investigated.
Professor Hans Bisgaard, who led the research at Copenhagen University said: "Diet during pregnancy and infancy is an important determinant for children's development and health.
"In particular, intake of fish containing n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) is important for adequate development.
Oily fish can include include mackerel, trout, sardines, salmon and herring.
British and Danish researchers wanted to evaluate the effects of the supplement during pregnancy on the growth and body composition of the children as they grew.
Height, weight, head and waist measurements were assessed 11 times from birth to age six and adjusted for age and sex.
The report was published in the British Medical Journal, and showed that a higher body mass index from the age of one to six-years-old was recorded by the children whose mothers consumed the fish oil.
In fact, the six-year-olds' DXA scans showed that they had a 395 g higher total mass, 280.7 g higher lean mass, 10.3 g higher bone mineral content and 116.3 g higher fat mass compared with children of mothers who took the control oil.
It's time to stock up on those oily fish supplements if you are expecting.
