03:00 p.m
Sunday, January 15, 2023
It is known that feeding a child in the early stages of his life is very important for his health in general, but do you know the effect of this on his psychological health?
According to the “News Medical” website, a study found that children who received less healthy and sustainable nutrition at an early stage were vulnerable to psychological symptoms later, especially depression and anxiety in late childhood.
They found that there was a strong relationship between early diet and the Big 5 personality traits, which are conscientiousness, extraversion or introversion, benevolence, imagination, and lower scores in neuroticism.
The study revealed that a child’s early diet at 6 months, 18 months, and 7 years was associated with the occurrence of symptoms of anxiety and depression at the age of 8 years.
Compared to the diet at early ages, it was found that the diet at the ages of 3 and 7 years plays a more active role in the occurrence of anxiety and depression in the child.
The study was based on data from the medical record of newborns in Norway between 1999 and 2008, and included more than 114 thousand children and 95 thousand mothers, and documented nutrition from the 17th week of pregnancy until the child reaches 8 years.
The period from conception until the child reaches two years of age is crucial for the growth and development of vital organs and body systems. This stage also determines the child’s personality, mental health, and social and emotional development.