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Childhood diet and behavioural problems: results from the ALSPAC cohort
P J Peacock1, G Lewis, K Northstone
1School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, UK. Phil.Peacock@bristol.ac.uk
Insights
A junk food diet in childhood was not linked to later behavioral issues. This study found no evidence of an association between poor diet at 81 months and behavioral problems at 97 months.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Child Psychology
- Developmental Epidemiology
Background:
- Childhood diet significantly impacts development.
- Understanding the link between 'junk food' consumption and behavioral problems is crucial for public health.
- Previous research has yielded mixed results, necessitating further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between a 'junk food' diet at 81 months of age and the development of behavioral problems over the subsequent 16 months.
- To determine if non-milk extrinsic sugar (NMES) intake is associated with behavioral issues in children.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 12,942 children in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC).
- Assessed behavioral problems using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) at 81 and 97 months.
- Derived a 'junk food' score and estimated weekly NMES intake from food frequency questionnaires at 81 months, adjusting for confounders.
Main Results:
- Unadjusted analyses showed initial associations between a 'junk food' score and total difficulties/pro-social behavior.
- After adjusting for baseline behavioral scores and other confounders, these associations were attenuated and not statistically significant.
- Adjusting for confounders also diminished any observed links between NMES intake and behavioral problems.
Conclusions:
- No significant evidence supports an association between a 'junk food' diet at 81 months and the development of behavioral problems at 97 months.
- The findings suggest that common dietary patterns in early childhood may not be a primary driver of behavioral issues.
- Further research may explore other contributing factors to childhood behavioral problems.
Objective:
To investigate whether a 'junk food' diet at 81 months of age is associated with the development of behavioural problems over the following 16 months.
Subjects/Methods:
The study used data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) and 12,942 children were included. The main outcome measure was behavioural problems, measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). SDQ scores were available at 81 and 97 months of age. Child-based dietary data were collected at 81 months by food frequency questionnaire; from this a 'junk food' score was derived, and mean weekly non-milk extrinsic sugar (NMES) intake estimated. Statistical analyses examined the associations between dietary exposures at 81 months and SDQ outcomes at 97 months. Children with SDQ scores suggesting behavioural problems at baseline were excluded in order to identify new cases. Adjustments were made for potential confounders such as socioeconomic status.
Results:
Unadjusted analyses suggested associations between the 'junk food' score at 81 months and both total difficulties and pro-social behaviour at 97 months. However, adjustment for baseline SDQ scores attenuated these associations, with confidence intervals including the null for both total difficulties (OR (95% CI): 1.05 (0.92, 1.21); P=0.45) and pro-social behaviour (1.13 (1.00, 1.26); P=0.04). Adjustment for other potential confounders further attenuated the effects. Adjustment for confounders similarly attenuated modest associations between NMES intake and behavioural problems.
Conclusions:
There was no evidence to support an association between a 'junk food' diet at 81 months of age and behavioural problems after 16 months.
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