Clear link between eating fruit and veg and good mental health for kids
That's according to a new study from the University of East Anglia.
Last updated 28th Sep 2021
Children who eat lots of fruit and vegetables have better mental health according to a study from the University of East Anglia.
The study led by UEA in collaboration with Norfolk County Council found children who consumed five or more portions of fruit and veg a day, scored highest in tests that observed their mental wellbeing.
They analysed data from almost 9,000 children in 50 schools across Norfolk (7,570 secondary and 1,253 primary school children) taken from the Norfolk children and Young People’s Health and wellbeing Survey.
Participants self-reported their dietary choices and took part in mental wellbeing tests that covered cheerfulness, relaxation and having good interpersonal relationships.
Professor Alisa Welch led the study: “In terms of nutrition, we found that only around a quarter of secondary-school children and 28% of primary-school children reported eating the recommended five-a-day fruits and vegetables.
“Just under one in ten children were not eating any fruits or vegetables.
“More than one in five secondary school children and one in 10 primary children didn’t eat breakfast.
"And more than one in 10 secondary school children didn’t eat lunch.”
She added: "Improving schools meals so that they are balanced and ensuring they are available to everyone, regardless whether they can afford it or not could go a long way to improve children's nutrition and by extension, their mental well-being".
Professor Welch also told us that the current picture in Norfolk's schools shows that change is desperately needed:** "We found that a lot of the children weren't getting a good quality diet and this means that we've got to improve this".
"But we've also got to find ways of improving a way in which children can get this food, be this through public health initiatives or by school's setting their own policies".
"We also need to investigate why children aren't eating the way we would like them to".
She also went on to say that a good diet gives children the best start in life and helps mitigate future mental health issues.
"Young people start to develop mental health issues before they are fourteen years old. So if there's a some way of improving young people's mental well-being with good quality diet, I think that would be very important".
Professor Welch concluded by saying that a good diet is one issue society can control for children.
"Many of the factors that lead to mental health issues in children are out of their control. They could range from there being a lot of arguments in their household or not having their own bedroom".
"But one of the things that society can do is ensure that children get a good diet during the whole day and have a lot of fruit and vegetables, which will help their brain development and overall well-being".