Are Diet and IQ Linked in Children?

A healthy diet was positively associated with IQ at age 8 years.

Most studies of long-term effects of nutrition in early childhood focus on cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes. Less is known about the effect of children's diet on intelligence. In a prospective cohort study, researchers examined this association using data from parent-reported food-frequency questionnaires collected at ages 3, 4, 7, and 8.5 years for 13,988 children in England. At age 8.5 years, 7044 children (the study group) completed the Wechsler Intelligence Scale; these children were more likely to be girls, to have been breast-fed, and to have older mothers with higher levels of education than children without IQ data.

Three consistent dietary patterns were found at each time point: processed (convenience foods with high fat and su…

Reviewing Author

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics