JAMA: A mother's healthy diet reduces the risk of having a child with autism by 22%

Researchers from the University of Glasgow and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health have found that following the principles of a classic healthy diet during pregnancy reduces the likelihood of having a child with autism by 22%. The results of the study are published in the journal JAMA Network Open.

As part of the research paper, the researchers focused on healthy eating as a factor in the development of autism. Autism (or autism spectrum disorders) is a group of mental disorders that are characterized by impairments in social interaction and communication - the process of communicating and relaying information to others.

Researchers analyzed information about the lifestyle, diet and pregnancy course of women who participated in two large studies - the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, also known as Children of the 90s, and the Norwegian Cohort Study of Mothers, Fathers and Children. In total, they involved about 95,000 mother-child pairs.

As part of their analysis, the researchers found a pattern: women who followed a classic healthy diet were 22% less likely to have a child with autism compared to women who had a less healthy diet. The researchers defined a healthy diet as a diet high in fruits, vegetables, nuts, fish and whole grains and limited in fat, processed meats, soft drinks and refined carbohydrates.

Follow NEWS.am Medicine on Facebook and Twitter