‘Junk food’ diet and childhood behavioural problems: results from the ALSPAC
cohort
NJ Wiles1, K Northstone2, P Emmett2 and G Lewis1
1Department of Community Based Medicine, Academic Unit of Psychiatry, University
of Bristol, Bristol, UK and 2Department of Social
Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK & 2007 European Journal of
Clinical Nutrition (2007), 1–8 Nature Publishing Group All rights
reserved
Background/Objectives: To determine whether a ‘junk food’ diet at age 412
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 412 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 412
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.
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition advance online publication, 5 December
2007; doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602967