Dietary Intakes of Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Impulsivity: Comparing Non-Restricted, Vegetarian, and Vegan Diets.

Byrne, MK; Cook, R; Murta, JCD; Bressington, D; Meyer, BJ

Dietary Intakes of Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Impulsivity: Comparing Non-Restricted, Vegetarian, and Vegan Diets.

Byrne, MK Cook, R Murta, JCD Bressington, D Meyer, BJ

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Publisher:: MDPI
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Nutrients, 2024, 16, (6), pp. 875
Issue Date:: 2024-03-18

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Byrne, MK
dc.contributor.author	Cook, R
dc.contributor.author	Murta, JCD
dc.contributor.author	Bressington, D
dc.contributor.author	Meyer, BJ
dc.date.accessioned	2025-08-14T04:23:02Z
dc.date.available	2024-03-15
dc.date.available	2025-08-14T04:23:02Z
dc.date.issued	2024-03-18
dc.identifier.citation	Nutrients, 2024, 16, (6), pp. 875
dc.identifier.issn	2072-6643
dc.identifier.issn	2072-6643
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/189410
dc.description.abstract	BACKGROUND: Research suggests a link between deficiencies in omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) and impulsivity among psychiatric populations. However, this association is less evident in non-clinical populations. As omega-3 LCPUFAs are predominantly sourced through fish consumption, non-fish dieters may be more vulnerable to higher impulsivity. METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study explored the association between lower intakes of omega-3 LCPUFA food sources and higher self-reported measures of impulsivity among healthy adults consuming non-restricted, vegetarian, and vegan diets. RESULTS: The results from the validated Food Frequency Questionnaire showed significantly lower estimated omega-3 LCPUFA intakes among vegans and vegetarians when compared with people consuming non-restricted diets. Furthermore, although all groups scored within the normal range of impulsivity measures, vegans scored comparatively higher. Vegans also scored significantly higher in impulsivity control relating to attention than those consuming non-restricted diets. CONCLUSIONS: The significantly lower omega-3 LCPUFA dietary intakes in the vegan diets were associated with higher scores in the second-order attentional aspect of self-reported impulsiveness.
dc.format	Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	MDPI
dc.relation.ispartof	Nutrients
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.3390/nu16060875
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	0908 Food Sciences, 1111 Nutrition and Dietetics
dc.subject.classification	3202 Clinical sciences
dc.subject.classification	3210 Nutrition and dietetics
dc.subject.classification	4206 Public health
dc.subject.mesh	Adult
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Cross-Sectional Studies
dc.subject.mesh	Diet
dc.subject.mesh	Diet, Vegan
dc.subject.mesh	Diet, Vegetarian
dc.subject.mesh	Eating
dc.subject.mesh	Fatty Acids
dc.subject.mesh	Fatty Acids, Omega-3
dc.subject.mesh	Vegetarians
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Fatty Acids, Omega-3
dc.subject.mesh	Fatty Acids
dc.subject.mesh	Diet
dc.subject.mesh	Cross-Sectional Studies
dc.subject.mesh	Diet, Vegetarian
dc.subject.mesh	Eating
dc.subject.mesh	Adult
dc.subject.mesh	Vegetarians
dc.subject.mesh	Diet, Vegan
dc.subject.mesh	Adult
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Cross-Sectional Studies
dc.subject.mesh	Diet
dc.subject.mesh	Diet, Vegan
dc.subject.mesh	Diet, Vegetarian
dc.subject.mesh	Eating
dc.subject.mesh	Fatty Acids
dc.subject.mesh	Fatty Acids, Omega-3
dc.subject.mesh	Vegetarians
dc.title	Dietary Intakes of Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Impulsivity: Comparing Non-Restricted, Vegetarian, and Vegan Diets.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	16
utslib.location.activity	Switzerland
utslib.for	0908 Food Sciences
utslib.for	1111 Nutrition and Dietetics
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.rights.license	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.date.updated	2025-08-14T04:23:00Z
pubs.issue	6
pubs.publication-status	Published online
pubs.volume	16
utslib.citation.issue	6

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Research suggests a link between deficiencies in omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) and impulsivity among psychiatric populations. However, this association is less evident in non-clinical populations. As omega-3 LCPUFAs are predominantly sourced through fish consumption, non-fish dieters may be more vulnerable to higher impulsivity. METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study explored the association between lower intakes of omega-3 LCPUFA food sources and higher self-reported measures of impulsivity among healthy adults consuming non-restricted, vegetarian, and vegan diets. RESULTS: The results from the validated Food Frequency Questionnaire showed significantly lower estimated omega-3 LCPUFA intakes among vegans and vegetarians when compared with people consuming non-restricted diets. Furthermore, although all groups scored within the normal range of impulsivity measures, vegans scored comparatively higher. Vegans also scored significantly higher in impulsivity control relating to attention than those consuming non-restricted diets. CONCLUSIONS: The significantly lower omega-3 LCPUFA dietary intakes in the vegan diets were associated with higher scores in the second-order attentional aspect of self-reported impulsiveness.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/189410