Study confirms relationship between maternal nut intake and childhood behavioral problems
A recent study published in the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition explored the association between maternal nut intake during pregnancy and the risk of childhood behavioral problems in 5-year-old children in Japan.
A total of 1,199 mother-child pairs were included in this prebirth cohort study. Researchers assessed dietary intake using a diet history questionnaire. The parent-reported version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire was used to assess emotional problems, conduct problems, hyperactivity problems, peer problems and low prosocial behavior.
Compared with children whose mothers who had not eaten nuts during pregnancy, children whose mothers did eat nuts had a significantly reduced risk of peer problems. The findings suggest that maternal consumption of nuts during pregnancy may be associated with a decreased risk of peer problems in children at five years of age. The researchers acknowledge the need for additional epidemiological studies and studies to investigate the mechanisms underlying the observed preventive association.
Nguyen, M. Q., Miyake, Y., Tanaka, K., Hasuo, S., Nakamura, Y., Okubo, H., Sasaki, S., & Arakawa, M. (2024). Nut consumption during pregnancy is associated with decreased risk of peer problems in 5-year-old Japanese children. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 10.1002/jpn3.12177. Advance online publication.