Consuming junk food 'harms brain health'

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Consuming junk food 'harms brain health'

Apart from being responsible for the flab on body, processed food also harms

behaviour and emotional health of children, suggests a new study.

The Telethon Institute for Child Health Research has linked diets high in these

foods to a greater risk of behaviour and emotional problems, as well as double

the risk of having ADHD.

The two studies are based on data from around 1800 WA adolescents from all

backgrounds, whose health has been tracked by the Institute since birth, showed

that these problems were less among teens with a healthier style of eating.

" We're showing a significant relationship between what children eat and their

brain function, yet it's not being taken seriously, " the Sydney Morning Herald

quoted says Oddy, leader of nutrition studies at the Institute as saying.

" We don't have enough promotion of fruit and vegetables, but you can walk

through a supermarket and see whole aisles devoted to sweets, soft drinks and

refined breakfast cereals, " said Oddy.