Malnutrition is the main cause of aggression in children
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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At the medical school of one of the largest universities in Australia (Deakin University), a group of specialists concluded that a predilection for unhealthy food threatens not only obesity, but also mental disorders, especially in childhood. To draw such conclusions, experts analyzed the results of 12 studies, in which more than 80,000 children from 4.5 to 18 years took part.
In the course of the work, the experts examined the results of tests and interviews assessing mental health, the frequency of use of various products, behavior, successes and difficulties, and dietary intake was also taken into account. As a result, it was found that such states as anxiety, depressive states, frequent mood changes were closely related to unhealthy diets.
Scientists simultaneously assessed the mental state and diet of the child, in connection with which, it is impossible to say exactly, harmful products provoke mental disorders or vice versa, the mental state increases the craving for the child to harmful food. However, experts can say with certainty that healthy food increases concentration, improves school performance, helps maintain normal weight, in addition, proper and balanced nutrition in childhood is necessary for health promotion.
At the same university, the research team of another scientific project stated that the nutrition of a woman during pregnancy affects the child's mental state. The majority of pregnant women have a strong craving for unhealthy foods, having watched the state of more than 20 thousand women during pregnancy, and subsequently for the health of their children, experts concluded that the future health of the child depends on the mother's diet. Women who consumed harmful food in large quantities (fast foods, smoked products, etc.) gave birth to children who later had some problems with their behavior. In such children, experts noted the appearance of aggression, increased irritability and other behavioral problems.
In addition, the diet of a woman during pregnancy affects the risk of obesity in the future, was proven in one of the earlier studies.
Also, experts noted that children, who in the first years of life were given mostly harmful products, practically excluding vegetables, there were symptoms of depression, anxiety, aggression.
Specialists recommend to find a substitute for delicious, but harmful products, which by nutritional value will not yield to harmful food. For example, the diet can include more carrots, celery, cucumbers, apricots, yogurt (skim), prunes, figs, milk porridges, unsweetened juices, milk drinks, fruits, potatoes and legumes.
In addition, scientists suggested making delicious and healthy sandwiches by simply adding cheese, salad, mashed potatoes from sardines, salmon, lean ham to lavash or bread.
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