A new study has found that kids who eat a diet rich in fruit and vegetables have better mental health, according to United Press International (UPI).
The study, published Monday in the journal BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health, found that children who had five or more portions of fruit and vegetables on a daily basis achieved the highest scores for mental well-being.
Researchers at the University of East Anglia, England, who conducted the study, said the findings were particularly true for teenagers.
Study co-author Dr. Richard Hayhoe said, “We found that eating well was associated with better mental well-being in children. Among secondary school children, in particular, there was a really strong link between eating a nutritious diet, packed with fruit and vegetables, and having better mental well-being.”
The study also found that at least one in five secondary school children and one in 10 elementary children reported skipping their breakfast, while one in 10 secondary school children reported skipping their lunch.
In the United States, the Department of Agriculture recommends children and teenagers to consume at least two cups of fruit and 2-1/2 cups of vegetables daily. However, most young people fail to meet these recommendations despite national efforts to promote healthy eating among children.
For the current study, Dr. Hayhoe and his team analyzed surveys from nearly 7,600 secondary-school students and over 1,200 elementary school students.
The participants reported their own dietary choices and took part in age-appropriate tests of mental well-being that assessed cheerfulness, relaxation, and having good interpersonal relationships, according to UPI.
Another study co-author Prof. Ailsa Welch said, “Nutrition had as much or more of an impact on well-being as factors such as witnessing regular arguing or violence at home.” “Children who ate a traditional breakfast experienced better well-being than those who only had a snack or drink.”
