Link Between Diet and Behavior: Related Research

Evidence suggests that poor diet plays a strong role in brain dysfunction and thus in criminality (see related article, Crime Times, 1998, Vol. 4, No. 1, Page 1). But just how widespread are dietary deficiencies?

Researchers at the National Cancer Institute recently investigated the diets of American children, and concluded that only one percent of children between the ages of two and 19 years met all recommendations for grains, vegetables, fruits, meats and dairy foods. Worse yet, they report, sixteen percent of children did not meet any of the recommendations. The researchers found that American children get 40 percent of their calories from fats and sugars added to foods. Study data were based on information collected from three-day food lists of 3,307 children.

"U.S. children failing to meet national dietary recommendations," Doctor's Guide, September 15, 1997.