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Infants are exceptionally sensitive to the adverse long-term health effects resulting from exposure to environmental toxicants. Exposure to methylmercury, a developmental toxicant found primarily in fish, has been predicted to negatively impact the health of 400,000 newborns every year in the U.S., with adverse effects (abnormal memory, attention and language skills) possibly lasting past childhood. However, pregnant or nursing women need to consume seafood because it is nutritionally important and provides lipids which promote healthy brains and eyes during perinatal development. <P>
Since maternal transfer of mercury and omega-3 fatty acids are the primary routes for fetal (placental transfer) or infant (maternal milk) exposure/nourishment, there is a critical need to communicate specific advice to childbearing-aged women so they can make informed decisions about their seafood consumption. <P>Hypothesis: When provided with effective educational materials, childbearing-aged women will consume seafood which provides nutrients that support a healthy pregnancy while lowering the risks from exposure to pollutants and foodborne pathogens in seafood. <P>Specific Aims - <OL> <LI> To survey for mercury and omega-3 fatty acids in commercially-important fish species that are collected from five regions across the U.S.; <LI> To determine the effectiveness of two communication vehicles (i.e., a printed wallet card and a website containing social marketing tools) for changing the knowledge, attitudes and behavior of childbearing-aged women when compared to the 2004 FDA/EPA Joint Fish Consumption Advisory. </OL> We will use an innovative Internet-based program, called X-Train, to assess the impact (effects on knowledge, attitudes and behavior) of our educational materials on childbearing-aged women. Women who consume less than 4 oz./wk of seafood and those who are exposed to higher amounts of mercury will be included so we can determine the effectiveness of our materials to encourage seafood consumption while also encouraging proper intakes of nutrients and limited intake of pollutants. <P>
This innovative, multi-institution, multi-disciplinary study, which integrates research and engagement, will promote healthy fish consumption by childbearing-aged women with the goal of improving the health of babies.
NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Infants are exceptionally sensitive to the adverse long-term health effects resulting from exposure to environmental toxicants. Exposure to methylmercury, a developmental toxicant found primarily in fish, has been predicted to negatively impact the health of 400,000 newborns every year in the U.S., with adverse effects (abnormal memory, attention and language skills) possibly lasting past childhood. However, pregnant or nursing women should consume seafood because it is nutritionally important and provides lipids which promote healthy brains and eyes during perinatal development. Since maternal transfer of mercury and omega-3 fatty acids are the primary routes for fetal (placental transfer) or infant (maternal milk) exposure/nourishment, there is a critical need to communicate specific advice to childbearing-aged women so they can make informed decisions about their seafood consumption. We contend that childbearing-aged women who are provided with effective educational materials will consume seafood which provides nutrients that support a healthy pregnancy while lowering the risks from exposure to pollutants and foodborne pathogens in seafood. In this study we will: collect and analyze commercial fish for omega-3 fatty acids and mercury; refine our educational materials and make them more effective across the U.S.; demonstrate a positive impact of our educational materials on the knowledge, attitudes and behavior of childbearing-aged women; and distribute these materials through healthcare professionals, aquariums, food service workers/chefs, and WIC offices. We will use an innovative Internet-based program, called X-Train, to assess the impact (effects on knowledge, attitudes and behavior) of our educational materials on childbearing-aged women. This innovative, multi-institution, multi-disciplinary study, which integrates research and engagement, will promote healthy fish consumption by childbearing-aged women and improve the health of babies.
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APPROACH: To accomplish these aims, we propose to: (1) collect and analyze commercial fish for omega-3 fatty acids and mercury; (2) refine our educational materials and make them more effective across five regional sites; (3) demonstrate positive impact of our educational materials on the knowledge, attitudes and behavior of childbearing-aged women; and (4) distribute these materials through healthcare professionals, aquariums, food service workers/chefs, and WIC offices.