Factors that influence consumption of fish and omega-3 enriched foods: a survey of Australian families with young children

Aim: The present study aimed to identify factors that influence the consumption of fish and foods that are enriched

with omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFA), in order to inform the development of effective

nutrition education strategies.

Methods: A cross-sectional, 10-item self-administered survey was conducted to 262 parents of children aged 9–13

years from a regional centre in New South Wales. Parents were asked questions related to frequency of consumption,

and to identify factors that either encouraged or prevented the provision of fish/seafood and/or n-3 LCPUFAenriched

foods for their families.

Results: Salmon, canned tuna, prawn and take-away fish were the most commonly eaten variants of fish/seafood,

at approximately once a month. Perceived health benefits and the influence of media and health professionals in

health promotion were identified as the primary motivators for consumption of fish/seafood and foods enriched with

n-3 LCPUFA. Among families who consume fish, taste was valued as having a major positive influence, as well as

preferences of individual family members, but the latter was perceived as an obstacle in non-fish consumers. Price

was the main barrier to consumption of fresh, but not canned, fish and n–3-enriched foods, in both those that do

and do not consume these foods.

Conclusion: Despite Australian parents’ knowledge of the health benefits n-3 LCPUFA, only a fifth of households

meet the recommended two serves of fish per week, hence nutrition education strategies are warranted.