British Study Links Junk- Food Diet, Behavior Problems in Kids
By Jack Challem - The Nutrition Reporter
A study of 4,000 children
in England has found
that children eating a large
amount of junk foods are
more likely to exhibit hyperactive behavior.
Nicola J. Wiles, PhD, of the University of
Bristol, and her colleagues assessed the dietary
habits of the children at age four and a half. The
mothers of the children completed a dietary questionnaire
asking about consumption of 57 foods
and beverages. Some of the foods and drinks in
the questionnaire included ice cream, milk chocolate
bars, pizza, pasta, soft drinks and vegetables.
The children's behavior was evaluated at age
seven, with their mothers completing the Strengths
and Difficulties test. Children who had eaten the
most junk foods were more likely to be in the top
33 percent of scores indicating hyperactivity.
Reference: Wiles NJ, Northstone K, Emmett
P, et al. "'Junk food' diet and childhood behavioural
problems: results from the ALSPAC
cohort." European Journal of Clinical Nutrition,
2009;63:491-498.