Eating choices are linked to children's mental health

The journal BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health has published a study by the University of East Anglia, Anglia Ruskin University and Norfolk County Council to investigate the relationship between dietary choices and mental health in schoolchildren.

The researchers said the study demonstrated that insufficient fruit and vegetables, and not eating/drinking for breakfast or lunch, may contribute to poor mental health in children

Data show that up to 2%-3% of children aged 6-12 may suffer from depression; in addition, more than 7% of children aged 3-17 suffer from anxiety disorders and are also at risk of developing depression

Insufficient physical and mental development, fragile self-awareness, shallow life experience, low resistance to setbacks, and poor discrimination ability have all become important reasons for children and adolescents to induce psychological disorders

In order to better understand and address the "psychological dilemma" of groups of children, past research has also confirmed the complexity and variability of children's psychology, which is affected by a variety of factors including biological and genetic factors, demographic factors, and modifiable lifestyles.

In recent years, studies on the gut-brain axis have further confirmed the relationship between the brain and the gut and gut microbes.

Mental health is an important component of the health of young people, and the industry's exploration of nutrition in the psychological field is still in its infancy

The study selected subjects from more than 50 schools and analyzed 1,253 primary school students aged 8-11 and 7,570 middle school students aged 12-18

The results showed that the association between nutritional variables and well-being scores was particularly significant

At the same time, the researchers also saw the importance of breakfast and lunch, which was strongly associated with differences in well-being scores

With the development of modernization, people's pace of life is gradually accelerating, competition and pressure are also increasing, emotional ups and downs, anxiety about the future, and sleep disorders have gradually become challenges faced by children

For the healthy growth of children, in addition to providing professional psychological counseling, a harmonious family, and a stable school/social environment, nutrition is also an important part of the mental health service system.

　　(Source: New Nutrition)

"China Food News" (November 10, 2021 03 edition)

　　(Editor in charge: Zhou Yan)