First Foods Seem to Affect a Child's Brain Power

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First Foods Seem to Affect a Child's Brain Power

Children who don't get proper nutrition during their first three years may be

losing ground in intelligence to their better-nourished peers, a new study

suggests.

Eight-year-olds whose diet had been lower in fats, sugars and processed foods by

the age of 3 averaged 1 to 2 points higher on IQ tests, even when compared with

children who switched to a healthier diet after age 3.

" Children should be encouraged to eat healthy foods from an early age, and to

avoid foods that are high in fat and sugar, as far as possible, " said study

researcher Kate Northstone, a research fellow at the School of Social and

Community Medicine at the University of Bristol in England. " We know this is

important for physical growth and development, but it may also be important for

mental ability. "

" This study shows that early diet, beyond breastfeeding, may be important —

and more important than later diet — in optimizing cognitive development, "

Northstone said.

Given the preliminary nature of the study results and the relatively small

effect they found, she urged caution in interpreting them.

Like most studies looking at early nutrition and long-term outcomes, this study

suggests a relationship but not a cause and effect, said Dr. Abrams, a

member of the American Academy of Pediatrics' committee on nutrition, who was

not involved in the study.

But at the same time, Abrams said, given the complexity of looking at diets

based on parent surveys and following them over time, a statistically

significant result deserved some credit.

" It's always a challenge to find something, " said Abrams, a professor of

pediatrics at the Baylor College of Medicine.

The results showed that certain subgroups of kids may benefit from an improved

diet, and identifying them may help in targeting babies for early nutritional

intervention, Abrams told MyHealthNewsDaily.

But he didn't expect the results to be a tipping point for anyone to change

their child's diet.

" Most people think a healthy diet is good for you anyway, " so it isn't likely

that parents would change their children's diet to make a 1- or 2-point

difference in IQ, he said.

Still, " evidence is developing that healthy diets for small children, actually

have meaning long-term, even though science is never going to precisely find the

benefit, " Abrams said.

The researchers looked at just under 4,000 8-year-olds whose diets had been

examined as they had grown up.

It is unclear what components of their diet would impact IQ. Abrams said it may

be that extra omega-3 fatty acids and iron helped the developing brains of the

children to grow.

The researchers said parents could take some guidance from their findings even

without being able to quantify an exact mental benefit.

" The effects of diet on IQ were relatively small, but this study adds to the

evidence regarding the avoidance of processed foods and the promotion of

nutrient-rich, healthy foods, " Northstone said. " We would recommend that parents

try to reduce the amount of foods containing high levels of fat and sugar and

processed foods in their child's diet, favoring foods that are nutrient-dense,

such as fruit and vegetables. "

Pass it on:Researchers found a slight benefit in IQ for children on a healthier

diet during their first three years of life. While the benefit was small, there

are other good reasons for making sure kids eat healthy early on.