Tuesday Feb 16, 2016 (foodconsumer.org) -- A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics suggests that it is not a good thing for pregnant women to eat more than three servings of fish per week. 

The study based on data from 26,184 pregnant women and their children in 11 countries shows that children whose mothers ate three or more servings of fish per week during pregnancy were more likely to become obese during the first two, four and six years of life.

The study also finds that children born to mothers eating three or more servings of fish per week during pregnancy grew much faster than those born to mothers not eating as much fish in the first two years of life.

In the study, one serving was equal to four ounces.

The effect of fish consumption was more significant in girls than boys.  Enrollees in the study came from Belgium, Greece, France, the Netherlands, Ireland, Italy,  Norway, Spain, Poland, Portugal, and the United States.

Fish is a good source for long chain omega-3 fatty acids, but also a good source for environmental persistent pollutants and methylmercury.  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises that pregnant women should not eat more than two to three servings per week.

Particularly, pregnant women should avoid eating high mercury fish.  Also many states in the U.S. issue fish consumption advisories periodically to warn consumers not to eat fish caught in certain waters because of concern about the pollutants in the fish. (David Liu)