Feeding Children’s Behavior

Focus on fats

Another emerging field of interest is the effect of fatty acids on improving children’s behavioral issues. Various developmental problems, including AD/HD, have been linked to deficiencies in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). According to an article in a 2007 issue of Alternative Medicine Review (12(3):207-27), double-blind, randomized, controlled trials reveal that the omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which are known to be important for brain development and behavior, benefit AD/HD, autism, dyspraxia, dyslexia and aggression. In a 2007 study published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics (28(2):82-91) investigating the effects of supplementation with PUFAs (EPA, DHA, GLA, plus vitamin E) on symptoms typically associated with AD/HD, 132 Australian children ages 7 to 12 participated in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind intervention over 15 weeks. The study concluded that AD/HD-related problems with inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity might respond to treatment with PUFAs.

Sugar high

It’s a time-worn cliché: Sugar makes kids hyper. But findings in the ’90s did not support the theory that refined sugar affects hyperactivity, attention span or cognitive performance of children, although the possibility that it might affect a subset of children was not ruled out. Little research has been done subsequently that yield any connections to sweeteners and behavior. “After 30-plus years of worrying, it seems that sugar is finally off the hook, at least for a while,” says Dooley.

However, in a 2006 Norwegian cross-sectional, population-based survey on 10th graders, it was revealed that high levels of sugar-containing soft drinks were associated with mental health problems (American Journal of Public Health, 96(10):1815-20).

The bottom line

“If you look through the 40 to 50 years of research into the effect of dietary components on childhood behavior, you can find studies that support the behavioral safety for many food components, including sugar, particular artificial dyes and other food additives,” Dooley says. “Unfortunately, the studies that show a difference have a larger chance of getting published. The bottom line is that almost all food components, including additives, are safe for almost all children at levels of usual intake. Where the problems may occur is in particular health-related conditions, in large doses or quantities, and in younger children.”

Even if the burden of evidence against sweeteners and food additives doesn’t quite stack up yet, in the public’s eye, the evidence is real. In Sept. 2007, Mintel, Chicago, reported that 1,000 new items claiming to be additive-free hit the supermarket shelves during the year, and the trend is expected to continue. Development of “clean” labels, natural food colors and additive-free children’s foods will more than likely be the new kid on the block in the food industry.

Sharon Palmer is a registered dietitian with 16 years of experience in health-care and foodservice management. She writes on food and nutrition for newspapers, magazines, websites and books. Palmer makes her home in Southern California and can be reached atinfo@sharonpalmer.com.