The effect of diet on the physical and mental development of children: views of parents and teachers in four European countries

Abstract

Although the impact of diet on physical health is an important public health issue, less attention has been devoted to the relationship between nutrition and children's mental development. The views of parents and teachers about the extent to which diet affects physical and mental development of children were compared in four European countries. An online questionnaire (developed in English and translated) was circulated through a market research agency. Participants were parents or teachers of children aged 4-10 years without learning or behavioural issues. Questionnaires were returned by 1606 parents (401 in England, Germany and Hungary; 403 in Spain) and 403 teachers (100 in each country, except for 103 in Hungary). Teachers were older than parents (35·3 % v. 18·3 % over 45 years; P < 0·001) and less likely to smoke (15·9 % v. 26·3 %, P < 0·001). There was no difference between the proportions of parents and teachers who felt that a child's physical development depended very much/extremely (v. moderately/slightly/not at all) on diet (overall 79·8 %). Lower proportions of both groups thought that mental development was very much/extremely influenced by diet (67·4 %). In the regression modelling, believing that physical and mental performance was greatly influenced by diet was significantly and positively associated with living in Hungary, scoring higher on a measure of General Health Interest and (parents only) level of education attained. Differences existed among countries in most views. Lower levels of awareness of the importance of diet for brain development and cognition (compared with physical health outcomes) indicate the potential for educating consumers, especially parents with lower educational attainment.

What Lithuanian First-Graders Eat: Results of a 15-Year Semi-Longitudinal, Cross-Sectional Surveillance Study

“…Children’s diet plays a crucial role in their health, growth, development, mental and physical performance, and emotional well-being [ 1 ]. To understand nutritional needs and their potential impact on health, healthy eating patterns can be simply described as those rich in health-promoting foods, including plant-based foods, fresh vegetables and fruits, nuts, sources of omega-3 fatty acids, and products low in saturated fats and trans-fats, animal-derived proteins, and added/refined sugars [ 2 ].…”

Parents’ Diet Quality and Physical Activity Are Associated with Lifestyle in Spanish Children and Adolescents: The PASOS Study

“…Eating patterns of children were associated with maternal eating and sedentary habits [ 24 ]. Relationships between parents’ diet and lifestyle and those of their children and adolescents were scarcely described in European countries, but not in Spain yet [ 25 , 26 , 27 ].…”

Importance of mental performance in parental choice of food for children aged 4–10 years: a study in four European countries

“…In making food choices for their children, research has shown that parents are aware of the importance of developing good eating habits for long-term health and are concerned with balancing a healthy diet with their child’s food preferences ( 3 ) . Even though parents associate some foods (such as sugary drinks) with effects on mood and behaviour ( 4 ) , most perceive that diet has a stronger impact on the physical development of their child than on his/her mental performance ( 5 ) . Food and nutrition, however, have important and pervasive impacts on brain development and cognitive functioning through effects on cell structure, neurotransmission, energy supply to the brain and metabolism ( 6 , 7 ) .…”