Study: Children’s Diet May Affect Their Mental Health

Children who eat fruits and vegetables more frequently are less likely to experience internal behavioral problems such as anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal, while those who consume more sugary and salty snacks tend to show more serious externalizing problems, including aggression and attention difficulties, according to a new study.

The research, conducted by scientists at University of Agder and published in the journal Nutrients, points to a strong connection between nutrition and the mental health of young children.

“Mental health problems are becoming increasingly common worldwide. Identifying preventable factors associated with such problems is critically important and would be most beneficial if detected during early childhood,” the researchers wrote.

The study notes that mental health is especially important during the earliest years of life and plays a crucial role in future school performance, social skills development, and educational attainment, which in turn influence a person’s health and socioeconomic status throughout life, Euronews reports.

Amid the global rise in mental health problems, scientists are increasingly examining the role of diet, lifestyle, and other socioeconomic factors that may contribute to this trend.

Researchers analyzed data from 363 four-year-old children and their mothers who participated in the Norwegian Early Food for Future Health project, a randomized controlled trial aimed at improving diet between the ages of six and 12 months.

The findings showed that children who consumed vegetables and fruits more often had lower levels of internalizing problems such as depression, anxiety, and withdrawal, regardless of the mothers’ education level, family financial difficulties, or symptoms of depression and anxiety in the mothers.

At the same time, more frequent consumption of sugary and salty snacks was associated with higher levels of so-called “acting-out” behavior.

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