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Children and Omega-3 Fatty AcidsOmega-3 fatty acids are a type of polyunsaturated fat. The two most important omega-3's, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) are only found naturally in fish and fish oils. Canola oil, flaxseed, walnuts, soybeans, hemp seed are all polyunsaturated fats that contain alpha lipoic acid, which is a type of omega-3 that the body can make into DHA or EPA. The drawback is that our bodies do not convert all of the alpha lipoic acid into DHA or EPA - so you get "less bang for the buck" - so to speak. Why are Omega-3 Fatty Acids an Important Part of My Childs Nutrition? "Getting a low amount of omega-3 fatty acids has as much of a detrimental effect on the brain as being exposed to head," says William Lassek, PhD, assistant professor or epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh. This sounds scary and dramatic to me, however in a soon-to-be-published study of kids ages 6 to 16, Dr. Lassek found that those with the highest intake of omega-3's scored the best on cognitive tests. "Omega-3's help the nerves process information better and faster," he says. Omega-3's also play a role in a child's immune system. Children whose mothers took a fish oil supplement during their last trimester and while breast feeding, had children with a lower chance of developing the skin condition eczema by their first birthday and food and airborne allergies in the toddler years. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding your developing baby or infant will also benefit from omega-3's because they play an important role in developing vision and nerves during and after pregnancy. Infants are at risk for developing problems in these areas, if they don’t get enough omega-3 fatty acids from their mothers. Just an FYI: scientists now understand that nearly 70% of a baby's brain and more than 60% of an adult brain is made up of fish oil's DHA. In studies of children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), it was determined that these children have low levels of omega-3 fatty acids. Other children exhibiting learning and behavioral problems had low levels of omega-3's, as well. In a study at the University of Oxford in England, researchres gave 5 to 12 year olds with developmental disorders 732 milligrams worth of omega-3 supplements daily (something that should only be done under a doctors supervision). After three months, 40 percent of the kids with ADHD showed such great improvement that they no longer met the criteria of the condition. There is no absolutely conclusive evidence that supplementation is the answer, but it may be part of it. More studies are needed to determine if omega-3 benefits children with ADHD by reducing their symptoms and improving their general condition. What About Adults? Many clinical studies have been conducted and researchers have found a multitude of benefits for adults as well. The benefits of omega-3's include the control of heart disease and problems that contribute to heart disease. There's more:
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Omega-3's reduce inflammation and prevent chronic heart diseases by facilitating the lowering of LDL (“bad”- if you have too much) cholesterol AND triglycerides, while increasing HDL (“good”) cholesterol. There is also strong evidence that fatty acids help reduce high blood pressure, inhibit the development of plaque and blood clots, help prevent and treat atherosclerosis, and helps protect against stroke. 
Combined with a whole foods diet and exercise, omega-3's help diabetics by improving glucose uptake in the presence of insulin.
In rheumatoid arthritis, an inflammatory joint condition, studies have shown omega-3's reduce joint tenderness, and morning stiffness.
People with low levels of omega-3's have an increased risk for depression. Omega-3's help by enabling nerve cells to communicate, an essential step in achieving good mental health. Cell membranes must be healthy in order to function properly. Studies show that people hospitalized for depression had lower levels of fatty acids than people who ate a well-balanced whole foods diet that included food sources of omega-3's and/or fish oil supplements. When depressives were treated with an appropriate amount of fatty acids, they had reduced feelings of depression and hostility, as well as improved brain function. The same studies found the same benefits for people suffering from bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. 
There have been preliminary studies conducted that show omega-3's may benefit asthma sufferers. Omega-3 supplementation may decrease inflammation in the lungs and improve overall lung function.
There is a lower incidence of macular degeneration in people who consume omega-3's either from fish or fish oil supplementation.
Other omega-3 benefits are being studied in regard to colon cancer, inflammatory bowl disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease, breast cancer, and prostate cancer. Some studies have preliminary findings supporting the argument that the consumption of omega-3 fatty acids prevents these diseases from worsening.
Women with the highest dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids were found to have the mildest symptoms during menstruation in a study performed in Denmark.
Preliminary research seeks to determine whether there is an omega-3 benefit in fighting infections, treating ulcers, migraine headaches, lupus, emphysema, and glaucoma. Many studies will need to be conducted to substantiate this research.