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

Bernadette Egan,Berthold Koletzko,Eszter Györei,Tamas Decsi,Monique Raats,Peter Williams,Heather Gage,Juan-Carlos López-Robles,Brigitte Brands,Cristina Campoy

doi:10.1017/s000711451500032x

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.

Highlights

Perceptions and understanding of the impact of diet on the physical health of children is an important public health issue, in the context of growing concerns about childhood obesity[1], but traditionally little attention has been paid to lay views about the relationship between nutrition and a child’s mental development and performance[2]
We report results from the analysis of three items that explored respondents’ views on the following: the extent to which diet affects the mental development and physical development of children; and the effect of diet on ten selected indicators of a child’s physical and mental performance
Larger proportions of parents and teachers regarded diet to be an important determinant of physical development than of mental development

Summary

Introduction

Perceptions and understanding of the impact of diet on the physical health of children is an important public health issue, in the context of growing concerns about childhood obesity[1], but traditionally little attention has been paid to lay views about the relationship between nutrition and a child’s mental development and performance[2]. What parents and teachers believe about the relationship between nutrition and the mental development of children may affect their attitudes and behaviours regarding food provision for young people[6]. We explored their views in four European countries in order to identify gaps in awareness about the importance of nutrition for brain development and cognition, as well as the need for policies to improve public understanding.

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion