William Atkins
Sunday, 04 October 2009 20:41
Science -
Biology
Page 2 of 3
The researchers suggested several reasons why this relationship exists.
The BBC article states,
“The researchers put forward several explanations for the link including the idea that the confectionery makes the adult addicted to certain additives and that these may contribute towards adult aggression."
The study was reported in the October 2009 issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry [(2009) 195: 366-367. doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.108.061820].
The title of the BJP paper is “
Confectionery consumption in childhood and adult violence.” It was authored by Simon C. Moore, Lisa M. Carter, and Stephanie van Goozen.
The abstract to the paper states,
“Diet has been associated with behavioural problems, including aggression, but the long-term effects of childhood diet on adult violence have not been studied. We tested the hypothesis that excessive consumption of confectionery at age 10 years predicts convictions for violence in adulthood (age 34 years)."
And,
"Data from age 5, 10 and 34 years were used. Children who ate confectionery daily at age 10 years were significantly more likely to have been convicted for violence at age 34 years, a relationship that was robust when controlling for ecological and individual factors.”
Dr.
Simon C. Moore, from the School of Medicine at Cardiff University and who led the study, stated,
"Our favoured explanation is that giving children sweets and chocolate regularly may stop them learning how to wait to obtain something they want." [BBC News]
Moore added,
“Not being able to defer gratification may push them towards more impulsive behaviour, which is strongly associated with delinquency." [BBC News]
And,
"Targeting resources at improving children's diet may improve health and reduce aggression." [BBC News]
Page three concludes with comments from scientists not associated with the study.
