EFAD signs can appear earlier in which population?

• A. Adults
• B. Infants and children
• C. Elderly
• D. Athletes

Answer: (B)

Essential fatty acids are needed for growth and skin and neural development, and the body’s stores of them are limited. Infants and children have the fastest growth rate and rely heavily on dietary EFAs to support that rapid tissue development. When EFAs are deficient, the skin barrier and other tissues reveal problems quickly, so signs such as dry, scaly dermatitis, hair changes, and slowed growth can appear early. In adults, growth slows and tissue turnover is slower, so it takes longer for deficiency signs to become evident. Therefore EFAD signs are most likely to appear earlier in infants and children.