Children who eat more fruit and vegetables show fewer internalised behavioural issues — such as anxiety, depression and withdrawal — while those who eat more sweet and salty snacks show greater difficulties in dealing with externalised problems, including aggression and attention issues, a new study has found.
The study, carried out by researchers at the University of Agder in Norway and published in the journal Nutrients suggests a strong link between diet and the mental health of young children.
“Mental health challenges are increasing worldwide. Identifying preventable factors for such challenges is important and will have the greatest impact if identified in young children,” the researchers wrote.
The study noted that mental health is specifically important early in life and critical for future school outcomes, social skills and education, which influence lifelong health and socioeconomic outcomes.
As mental health problems rise worldwide, researchers are increasingly looking at diet, lifestyle and other socioeconomic factors that may be shaping this trend.
