Journal Article

'Junk food' diet and childhood behavioural problems: results from the ALSPAC cohort

Lewis, G, Northstone, K, Wiles, N.J, Emmett, P

2009

Overview

Background/Objectives: To determine whether a 'junk food' diet at age 4 1/2 is associated with behavioural problems at age 7. Subjects/Methods: Data on approximately 4000 children participating in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, a birth cohort recruited in Avon, UK in 1991/92 were used. Behavioural problems were measured at age 7 using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ; maternal completion). Total difficulties and scores for the five sub-scales (hyperactivity, conduct and peer problems, emotional symptoms and pro-social behaviour) were calculated. Principal components analysis of dietary data (frequency of consumption of 57 foods/drinks) collected at age 4 1/2 by maternal report was used to generate a 'junk food' factor. Data on confounders were available from questionnaires. Results: A one standard deviation increase in 'junk food' intake at age 4 1/2 years was associated with increased hyperactivity at age 7 (odds ratio: 1.19; 95% confidence interval: 1.10, 1.29). This persisted after adjustment for confounders including intelligence quotient score (odds ratio: 1.13; 95% confidence interval: 1.01, 1.15). There was little evidence to support an association between 'junk food' intake and overall behavioural difficulties or other sub-scales of the SDQ. Conclusions: Children eating a diet high in 'junk food' in early childhood were more likely to be in the top 33% on the SDQ hyperactivity sub-scale at age 7. This may reflect a long-term nutritional imbalance, or differences in parenting style. This finding requires replication before it can provide an avenue for intervention.

• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group UK,Nature Publishing Group
• Subject: administration & dosage / adverse effects / Age / Approximation / Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - etiology / Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children cohort / Behavior / Behavior disorders / behavior problems / Beverages / Biological and medical sciences / Child / Child Behavior Disorders / Child Behavior Disorders - etiology / child nutrition / Child, Preschool / Childhood / Children / Childrens health / Clinical Nutrition / cohort studies / Confidence intervals / Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic / Diet / Diet - adverse effects / Dietary Sucrose / Dietary Sucrose - administration & dosage / Emotional behavior / England / Epidemiology / etiology / Feeding. Feeding behavior / Food / Food and nutrition / Food consumption / Food intake / food quality / Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology / Great Britain / Health aspects / Humans / Hyperactivity / Intelligence / Internal Medicine / Junk food / Longitudinal Studies / Medical sciences / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / Metabolic Diseases / original-article / parenting / Principal components analysis / Public Health / Questionnaires / Quotients / Social behavior / Standard deviation / United Kingdom / Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems