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Association between free sugars intake and early psychopathological problems

Núria Voltas1,2,3, Cristina Jardí2,4, Carmen Hernández-Martínez1,2

  • 1Research Center for Behavioral Assessment (CRAMC), Department of Psychology, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain.

Journal of Child Health Care : for Professionals Working with Children in the Hospital and Community
|October 25, 2022
PubMed

Insights

High free sugar intake in toddlers is linked to current psychological issues like anxiety and ADHD. However, early sugar consumption at 12 months did not predict later problems in children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Child Mental Health

Background:

  • Childhood mental health issues are common and may relate to diet.
  • High free sugar consumption is prevalent in infants and children.
  • Understanding dietary impacts on child psychology is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the link between free sugar intake and psychological problems in young children.
  • To investigate if sugar consumption at 12 and 30 months predicts later mental health outcomes.
  • To identify specific psychological issues associated with high sugar diets.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal evaluation of 86 children from 12 to 30 months.
  • Collection of socio-family, anthropometric, and dietary data (free sugars).
  • Parent-reported Child Behavior Checklist and DC:0-3 diagnostic interviews at 30 months.

Main Results:

  • A significant association was found between high free sugar consumption at 30 months and concurrent sleeping problems, ADHD, and anxiety symptoms.
  • No significant association was observed between free sugar intake at 12 months and psychological problems at 30 months.
  • The findings highlight a contemporaneous relationship between current sugar intake and current psychological manifestations.

Conclusions:

  • High free sugar consumption at 30 months is associated with current psychological problems in children.
  • Early sugar intake (12 months) does not appear to predict later psychological issues.
  • Early identification of behavioral issues and high sugar intake may aid in preventing persistent psychological problems.

Keywords:
dietary sugarsinfant developmentinfant foodinfant nutrition sciencepsychopathology

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