Dietary patterns in middle childhood and behavior problems in adolescence

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Science
• Developmental Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Western dietary patterns are linked to child behavior issues in high-income nations.
• Dietary patterns and their impact on behavior in Latin America during nutritional transition are understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the association between dietary patterns and behavior problems in Latin American children.
• To identify specific dietary patterns influencing childhood behavior.

Main Methods:

• A cohort study involved 385 children aged 5-12 years, with dietary intake assessed via food frequency questionnaires.
• Principal component analysis identified four dietary patterns: animal protein, snacking, cheaper protein, and traditional/starch.
• Behavior problems were assessed in adolescence using the Youth Self Report questionnaire after a median 6-year follow-up.

Main Results:

• Higher adherence to an animal protein dietary pattern in middle childhood was associated with significantly lower total externalizing behavior problems in adolescent boys.
• A dose-response relationship was observed between animal protein pattern adherence and reduced aggressive behavior in boys.
• No significant associations were found between other dietary patterns and externalizing problems, nor with internalizing problems in either sex.

Conclusions:

• Adherence to an animal protein-rich diet during middle childhood is associated with reduced externalizing behavior problems in adolescent boys.
• Dietary patterns, specifically animal protein intake, may play a role in shaping behavior development in boys within a Latin American context.