Children who eat more fruit and veg have better mental health

Published by  Communications

On 27th Sep 2021

Children who eat a better diet, packed with fruit and vegetables, have better mental wellbeing – according to new research from the University of East Anglia Health and Social Care Partners.

A new study published today is the first to investigate the association between fruit and vegetable intakes, breakfast and lunch choices, and mental wellbeing in UK school children.

It shows how eating more fruit and veg is linked with better wellbeing among secondary school pupils in particular. And children who consumed five or more portions of fruit and veg a day had the highest scores for mental wellbeing.

The study was led by UEA Health and Social Care Partners in collaboration with Norfolk County Council.

The research team say that public health strategies and school policies should be developed to ensure that good quality nutrition is available to all children before and during school to optimise mental wellbeing and empower children to fulfil their full potential.

Lead researcher Prof Ailsa Welch, from UEA’s Norwich Medical School, said: “We know that poor mental wellbeing is a major issue for young people and is likely to have long-term negative consequences.

“The pressures of social media and modern school culture have been touted as potential reasons for a rising prevalence of low mental wellbeing in children and young people.

“And there is a growing recognition of the importance of mental health and wellbeing in early life – not least because adolescent mental health problems often persist into adulthood, leading to poorer life outcomes and achievement.

“While the links between nutrition and physical health are well understood, until now, not much has been known about whether nutrition plays a part in children’s emotional wellbeing. So, we set out to investigate the association between dietary choices and mental wellbeing among schoolchildren.”

The research team studied 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.

This survey was commissioned by the Public Health department of Norfolk County Council and the Norfolk Safeguarding Children Board. It was open to all Norfolk schools during October 2017.

Children involved in the study self-reported their dietary choices and took part in age-appropriate tests of mental wellbeing that covered cheerfulness, relaxation, and having good interpersonal relationships.

Prof Welch said: “In terms of nutrition, we found that only around a quarter of secondary-school children and 28 per cent of primary-school children reported eating the recommended five-a-day fruits and vegetables. And 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.

The team looked at the association between nutritional factors and mental wellbeing and took into account other factors that might have an impact – such as adverse childhood experiences and home situations.

Dr Richard Hayhoe, also from UEA’s Norwich Medical School, said: “We found that eating well was associated with better mental wellbeing in children. And that 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 wellbeing.

“We also found that the types of breakfast and lunch eaten by both primary and secondary school pupils were also significantly associated with wellbeing.

“Children who ate a traditional breakfast experienced better wellbeing than those who only had a snack or drink. But secondary school children who drank energy drinks for breakfast had particularly low mental wellbeing scores, even lower than for those children consuming no breakfast at all.

“According to our data, in a class of 30 secondary school pupils, around 21 will have consumed a conventional-type breakfast, and at least four will have had nothing to eat or drink before starting classes in the morning.

“Similarly, at least three pupils will go into afternoon classes without eating any lunch. This is of concern, and likely to affect not only academic performance at school but also physical growth and development.

“Another interesting thing that we found was that nutrition had as much or more of an impact on wellbeing as factors such as witnessing regular arguing or violence at home.

Prof Welch said: “As a potentially modifiable factor at an individual and societal level, nutrition represents an important public health target for strategies to address childhood mental wellbeing.

“Public health strategies and school policies should be developed to ensure that good quality nutrition is available to all children both before and during school in order to optimise mental wellbeing and empower children to fulfil their full potential.”

Cross-sectional associations of schoolchildren's fruit and vegetable consumption, and meal choices, with their mental wellbeing: a cross-sectional study’ is published in the journal BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health.

Study with us

Explore our research

Latest News

 
Steven Fry
30 Mar 2023

Stephen Fry Travel Awards to help fund University of East Anglia students’ American dreams

Acclaimed British writer, actor and comedian Stephen Fry is launching the Stephen Fry Travel Awards in American Studies with the University of East Anglia (UEA),...

Read more >
 
A grey horse with a red halter and blue coat standing in a field, with the Black Beauty new book edition being held out in front of it.
30 Mar 2023

UEA Publishing Project launch new edition of Black Beauty to raise money for horse sanctuary

UEA is publishing a special edition of Black Beauty in collaboration with Redwings Horse Sanctuary, which will raise funds to help the horses, ponies, donkeys...

Read more >
 
A baby's feet with medical monitoring equipment.
29 Mar 2023

Probiotics and breast milk support health of premature babies

Probiotic supplements could save the lives of premature babies and help them develop a healthy microbiome – according to new research involving the University of...

Read more >
 
Left to right - UEA and PNU campus
29 Mar 2023

Researchers and students from Norwich and Ukraine unite to research the impacts of war on nature and the environment

A new project, funded by £131,000 from Universities UK International (UUK), will see academics from University of East Anglia (UEA) and Vasyl Stefanyk...

Read more >
Are you searching for something?
 
Left to right - UEA and PNU campus
29 Mar 2023

Researchers and students from Norwich and Ukraine unite to research the impacts of war on nature and the environment

A new project, funded by £131,000 from Universities UK International (UUK), will see academics from University of East Anglia (UEA) and Vasyl Stefanyk...

Read more >
 
A column of smoke rising from a power plant.
29 Mar 2023

“Critical tool” launched to track national contributions to climate change

Read more >
 
A man holds a credit card as he types on a laptop.
28 Mar 2023

How repeated questions could put you at risk of cyber crime

People reveal more personal information when you ask them the same questions a second time – according to new research from the University of East Anglia.

Read more >
 
Prof David Maguire
27 Mar 2023

University of East Anglia appoints new Vice-Chancellor

UEA is very pleased to announce that Professor David Maguire has been appointed as the University’s new Vice-Chancellor, joining in May 2023.

Read more >
 
A group of people in a meeting.
27 Mar 2023

INCREASE VS project helps thousands of people into employment and entrepreneurship

New research led by the University of East Anglia (UEA) shows that large infrastructure projects must also offer sustainable, local investment in deprived...

Read more >
 
A disabled child watches a video on a phone with an adult.
24 Mar 2023

More support needed for children with disabilities using the Internet

Children with disabilities need better support to manage their online lives and potential online risks, finds UEA researcher.

Read more >