HOW DIET DURING PREGNANCY AND EARLY LIFE , AFFECTS CHILDREN'S INTELLIGENCE .

Sep. 13, 2013 — The statement "you are what you eat" is
significant for the development of optimum mental performance in
children as evidence is accumulating to show that nutrition pre-
birth and in early life "programmes" long term health, well being,
brain development and mental performance and that certain
nutrients are important to this process.
Researchers from the NUTRIMENTHE
project have addressed this in a five-year
study involving hundreds of European
families with young children. Researchers
looked at the effect of, B-vitamins, folic
acid, breast milk versus formula milk,
iron, iodine and omega-3 fatty acids, on
the cognitive, emotional and behavioural
development of children from before birth
to age nine.
The study has found that folic acid,
which is recommended in some European
countries, to be taken by women during the first three months of
pregnancy, can reduce the likelihood of behavioural problems
during early childhood. Eating oily fish is also very beneficial, not
only for the omega-3 fatty acids they which are 'building blocks'
for brain cells, but also for the iodine content which has a
positive effect on reading ability in children when measured at
age nine.
A long-term study was needed as explained by Professor Cristina
Campoy, who led the project "Short term studies seem unable to
detect the real influence of nutrition in early life," explained Prof
Cristina Campoy, "NUTRIMENTHE was designed to be a long-
term study, as the brain takes a long time to mature, and early
deficiencies may have far-reaching effects. So, early nutrition is
most important."
Many other factors can affect mental performance in children
including; the parent's educational level, socio-economic status
of the parents, age of the parents and, as discovered by
NUTRIMENTHE, the genetic background of the mother and child.
This can influence how certain nutrients are processed and
transferred during pregnancy and breastfeeding and in turn, affect
mental performance.
In giving advice to parents, Cristina Campoy explained, "it is
important to try to have good nutrition during pregnancy and in
the early life of the child and to include breastfeeding if possible,
as such 'good nutrition' can have a positive effect on mental
performance later in childhood." She went on to explain,
"however, in the case of genetics, future studies should include
research on genetic variation in mothers and children so that the
optimum advice can be given. This area is relatively new and will
be challenging!"
The knowledge obtained by NUTRIMENTHE will contribute to the
science base for dietary recommendations for pregnant women
and children for improving mental performance.
The work and results of NUTRIMENTHE will be presented and
discussed at the NUTRIMENTHE International Conference taking
place at the Granada Conference and Exhibition Centre on the
13th and 14th of September.