Over the past 30 years, the rate of childhood obesity has more than doubled in the United States, increasing the risks for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and joint problems. Last month, a new systematic review found obesity among kids is associated with yet another health problem.
The review, published in the American Journal of Public Health, found a significant relationship between the quality of diet among youth and their risk for mental health problems. The analysis includes 12 epidemiological studies that explored the link between diet and mental health. Nearly 83,000 youth ages 4 to 18 participated in the studies.
Specifically, researchers found that children who consumed diets high in saturated fat, refined carbohydrates and processed foods were more likely to have mood disorders and depression in their youth.
The Center for Advancing Health, a non-profit organization focused on engaging people in health care, wrote an article summarizing the review. The lead study author, Adrienne O’Neil, Ph.D., of the School of Medicine at Deakin University in Australia, explained that evidence on the link between diet and mental health has emerged over the past decade.
“Given that the average age of onset for anxiety and mood disorders is six years and 13 years, respectively, the potential for early intervention using strategies targeted at improving dietary intake may be of substantial public health benefit.” However the authors recognize that “ this would require policy action to improve the global food environment.”
The take-home message here: While we still don’t understand all of the effects that diet has on mental health, it’s clear that avoiding saturated fats and refined carbohydrates are important things to do in order to stay healthy for people of all ages, youth included. That’s certainly a message we take to heart in our home.
Great article! A lot has changed since I was a child growing up in Ohio. I drank soda, ate junk food, and invested a ton of money in our local neighborhood ice cream truck. None of my childhood friends, including me, were obese or suffered from any lifestyle related diseases. The only time I needed to visit a doctor was due to breaking a bone. I broke a few bones skateboarding and playing different sports on the street until darkness called me home. Yes, the quality of food children are eating these days has dramatically declined. The lack of physical exercise and outdoor play time outside of school has also taken a nose dive over the years. Who’s to blame? I personally think it starts and ends with the parents. Parents do have the choice of purchasing healthy food items and enrolling their child in a sport or other extracurricular physical activity. Feeding your child a healthy meal and involving them in an after school activity shouldn’t be dismissed due to lack of funds. This day and age, if needed, you can find a way to get financial assistance with food, living expenses, schooling, and other activities.