Unsafe food affects mental development of children and adolescents, research finds
![]() |
Image: Pixabay |
If children and adolescents do not get proper nutrition, it directly affects their mental health. A recent study found that food insecure households were 55 percent more likely to see a doctor for mental health problems than those with adequate food availability.
The research is based on a population health survey on children and adolescents
The research, recently published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, is based on data from the Canadian Community Health Survey's population health survey of 32,321 children and adolescents. The researchers categorized food availability in households as adequately food-secure, moderately food-insecure, moderately food-insecure and severely food-insecure. Of these total households, 5,216 (16.1%) were experiencing food-insecurity, of which 1,952 (6%) were moderately food-insecure, 2,348 (7.3%) moderately food-insecure and 916 (2.8%) severely food-insecure.
Also impact on physical, social and educational development
An associate professor at Canada's Western University said poor nutrition affects children's mental health, making them more likely to use drugs. This has a negative impact on their physical, social, educational development.
Comments
Post a Comment