title: Are dietary patterns in childhood associated with IQ at 8 years of age? A population-based cohort study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Little is known about the effects of overall diet in childhood and intelligence later in life.
  
  
  METHODS
  The current study, based on the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, uses data on children's diet reported by parents in food-frequency questionnaires at 3, 4, 7 and 8.5 years of age. Dietary patterns were identified using principal-components analysis and scores computed at each age. IQ was assessed using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children at 8.5 years. Data on a number of confounders were collected, and complete data were available for 3966 children.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After adjustment, the 'processed' (high fat and sugar content) pattern of diet at 3 years of age was negatively associated with IQ assessed at 8.5 years of age-a 1 SD increase in dietary pattern score was associated with a 1.67 point decrease in IQ (95% CI -2.34 to -1.00; p<0.0001). The 'health-conscious' (salad, rice, pasta, fish, fruit) pattern at 8.5 years was positively associated with IQ: a 1 SD increase in pattern score led to a 1.20 point increase in IQ (95% CI 0.52 to 1.88; p=0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is evidence that a poor diet associated with high fat, sugar and processed food content in early childhood may be associated with small reductions in IQ in later childhood, while a healthy diet, associated with high intakes of nutrient rich foods described at about the time of IQ assessment may be associated with small increases in IQ.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Medicine, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK. kate.northstone@bristol.ac.uk
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Northstone
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Joinson
authors.forename: Pauline
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Emmett
authors.forename: Andy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ness
authors.forename: Tomás
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Paus
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004739:England; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D008297:Male; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires