How Researchers Determine Benefits & Harm of Fish for Pregnant Moms?

While studies suggest that pregnant women who eat more fish that is lower in mercury have children who perform better on tests, it’s difficult to isolate whether it’s the fish that can take the credit, or whether the mother had other healthful behaviors in addition to eating more fish that contributed to her child’s positive outcomes.

Emily Oken, Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School and physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, talks about her series of nuanced research studies, which aim to lend insight into the role fish plays in early childhood development.

Watch this video to understand:

• How a continuum of research studies was designed to help us learn about the effects of consuming fish on both mom and baby.

• The complexity of measuring the benefits of consuming fish while pregnant.

• The difference between observational and intervention studies.