Fish Future

Possible protective role against alergy for fish consumption during infancy

John Bostock — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 21:08:19 +0000

A recently published Swedish study provides evidence that moderately early fish consumption before 9 months of age substantially lowers the odds of developing the most common allergies at age 4 years. Likelihood of asthma, eczema, allergic rhinitis and sensitization was significantly reduced by 37%, when children ate fish at least twice a month in the first year of life.

Kull I, Bergstrom A, Lilja G, Pershagen G, Wickman M. Fish consumption during the first year of life and development of allergic diseases during childhood. Alt Med Rev 2006;61:1009-1015

Fats of Life Article

PubMed Abstract

Eating Fish Reduces Diabetes Risk In Children

John Bostock — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 14:18:54 +0000

A study carried out by Dr Jill Norris at the University of Colorado, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reports that a diet rich in omega-3 oils reduces the chance of at-risk children developing type-1 diabetes by 55%.

Full reference: Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) 2007;298:1420-1428: ”Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Intake and Islet Autoimmunity in Children at Increased Risk for Type 1 Diabetes”, Jill M. Norris, et al at http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/298/12/1420

World seafood congress tackles health and sustainability issues

John Bostock — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 19:56:31 +0000

The World Seafood Congress was held in Dublin in September 2007, providing a platform for debate on current issues concerning the seafood industry, especially health messages, sustainability and the role of aquaculture.

Website at: http://www.worldseafoodcongress07.com/

Keynote presentation by Grímur Valdimarsson: http://www.globefish.org/filedownload.php?fileId=554

NICE Guidelines consultation

John Bostock — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 11:34:27 +0000

In England, The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) have recently published draft programme Guidance to improve the nutrition of pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and children in low-income households http://guidance.nice.org.uk/page.aspx?o=440481

This specifically recommend that health professionals “Encourage pregnant women to eat one portion of oily fish (for example, mackerel, sardines, pilchards, herring, trout or salmon) per week.”

Aquaculture & Fisheries (Scotland) Act 2007

John Bostock — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 11:34:28 +0000

The Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Act 2007 comes into force on 1st August 2007, except for Section 35 (relating to the introduction of fish into inland waters), which comes into force on 1st August 2008. Further details are available at: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/ssi2007/20070333.htm

French Calipso study confirms fish consumption recommendations

John Bostock — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 19:27:32 +0000

A study instigated by the General Directorate for Foods of France’s Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, the French Institute for Agronomy Research and the French Food Safety Agency examined seafood consumption risks and benefits using actual internal levels of omega 3 fats and pollutants. The study confirms advice for eating fish at least twice per week (with pregnant or breast-feeding women advised not to eat predator fish more than once per week).

Full report at: http://www.afssa.fr/Documents/PASER-Ra-CalipsoEN.pdf

Dutch research on diet benefits and risks

John Bostock — Tue, 31 Oct 2006 19:20:54 +0000

A report published by the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) says comprehensive analyses of a region’s food and dietary trends, together with their respective effects on human health, can help maximize the public health effects of government campaigns and research programs.

For example, “much greater health gains are to be made through encouraging a healthy diet than through improving food safety,” the report’s authors conclude after extensive research into the effects of current food trends in The Netherlands.
Also, after reviewing the full spectrum of dietary habits and potential government measures, they state that “substantial health gains can be made through dietary interventions which are considered feasible.”

Of all dietary factors insufficient consumption of fish, fruit and vegetables currently causes the most cases of serious illness and death in The Netherlands. About 50 percent of those can be avoided through interventions which appear feasible from small-scale experiments. In particular, attempts at reducing saturated and trans fatty acid uptake and increasing fish, fruit and vegetables consumption could save many lives, the authors say.

Press release at: http://www.rivm.nl/en/persberichten/Dutch_Research_Identifies_Health_Threats_Food_Diet.jsp

Full report at: http://www.rivm.nl/bibliotheek/rapporten/270555009.html

Scottish Diet Action Plan Review Published

John Bostock — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 12:20:52 +0000

Conerns over low seafood consumption and human health has been further emphasised for the Scottish population overall following the publication of the review of the Scottish Dietary targets (2006) which has shown no increase in oil rich fish consumption over the last 10 years (despite a recommnedation to double current intakes) and a reduction in white fish consumption (despite a recommendation to maintain current intakes) (Lang, Dowler & Hunter, 2006, Review of the Scottish Diet Action Plan 1996-2005 Health Scotland

http://www.healthscotland.com/documents/1497.aspx

What Fish R U?

John Bostock — Fri, 17 Mar 2006 15:59:14 +0000

As part of our survey work, an interactive quiz was developed and deployed on touch-screen computers at Edinburgh’s Deep Sea World (http://www.deepseaworld.com/), and Glasgow’s Science Centre (http://www.glasgowsciencecentre.org/). The quiz is also online at www.whatfishru.com as a demonstration. The initiative proved highly successful, with responses recorded from 4,452 people (37% below the age of 13) over an eight-week period. It is anticipated that this approach will be further developed and utilised for future research into public attitudes and understanding of seafood issues.

Welcome to FishFuture!

Ryan Kaye — Fri, 03 Feb 2006 11:13:29 +0000

Welcome to the FishFuture website - a service established by the Universities of Stirling, Dundee and St Andrews, to focus interdisciplinary Scottish seafood research initiatives and projects. For further information about the project click on the “about” tab on the main menu.