AHRQ Announces Call for Scientific Information in Preparation for Omega-3 DRI Review

The US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s (AHRQ) Effective Health Care (EHC) Program has announced that it is seeking scientific information relevant to questions associated with the protocol for “Dietary Total Fat Intake and Dietary Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Intake and Child Growth and Development Outcomes: A Systematic Review,” which will be used during the upcoming macronutrient dietary reference intake (DRI) review. This is one of the first steps in the process of beginning a DRI review for fats, including EPA and DHA, in the United States and Canada. 

Additional reviews for fat will likely commence in the coming months since DRIs comprise a set of reference values expressed for 16 life stage groups (life stage considers age and, when applicable, pregnancy or lactation), including: infants (0-6 months, 6-12 months), children (1-3 years, 4-8 years), males and females separately (9-13 years, 14-18 years, 19-30 years, 31-50 years, 51-70 years, >70 years), pregnancy (14-18 years, 19-30 years, 31-50 years) and lactation (14-18 years, 19-30 years, 31-50 years). While this is the first fat-associated review, the AHRQ started its reviews of the macronutrients in May 2023. The following are the reviews currently being worked on for protein and carbohydrate:  

• Evaluation of Dietary Protein Intake Requirements (initiated May 2023)
• The Effect of Protein Intake on Health (initiated May 2023)
• The Effect of Dietary Digestible Carbohydrate Intake on Risk of Cardiovascular Disease (initiated Dec 2023)
• The Effect of Dietary Digestible Carbohydrate Intake on Risk of Type 2 Diabetes, Growth, Size, and Body Composition (initiated Dec 2023)
• Digestible Carbohydrate Intake and Maternal-Infant Outcomes (initiated May 2024)

The question are as follows:  

1. What is the association between dietary intake of omega-6 and/or omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids during pregnancy and risk of preterm birth?
   1. How are these associations affected by intervention/exposure characteristics (for example, the ratio of different fatty acids)? 
2. What is the association between dietary intake of omega-6 and/or omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids during pregnancy and/or lactation and infant/child growth and developmental outcomes?
   
   1. How are these associations affected by intervention/exposure characteristics (for example, the ratio of different fatty acids)?
3. What is the association between dietary intake of total fat in individuals birth through 18 years of age and measures of growth and development?
4. What is the association between dietary intake of omega-6 and/or omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in individuals birth through 18 years of age and measures of growth and development?

According to a November 7 email from AHRQ’s EHC Program: 

The purpose of this evidence review is to identify and synthesize peer-reviewed and published research available since the last US-Canadian joint dietary guidelines were established regarding effects of total fat and particular polyunsaturated fatty acids on generally healthy populations at different life stages with diverse genetic backgrounds, health statuses, and nutritional needs. The goal of this review will enable dietary recommendations to be aligned with the most current and comprehensive evidence and that the recommendations lead to health behaviors that enhance pregnancy outcomes and optimize physical growth and cognitive development from conception through adolescence, ultimately maximizing health and wellbeing.

In the coming days, GOED will review the protocol and will plan to submit comments for submission by the December 7, 2024 deadline. Constructive comments can be sent to Harry Rice for consideration by November 29.

GOED last reported on DRIs in the 17 June 2024 GOED Current.