title: Low intake of B-vitamins is associated with poor adolescent mental health and behaviour.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The current prevalence of mental health problems in Western populations is approximately 20% and half of all adult mental health disorders are estimated to originate in adolescence. Diet plays an important role in modulating psychological wellbeing and B-vitamins are vital for the synthesis of neurotransmitters such as serotonin. We aimed to examine the relationship between B-group vitamins and adolescent mental health and behaviour.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a cross-sectional analysis of the West Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study. The 17-year follow-up included collection of a food frequency questionnaire allowing B-vitamin intake calculation. Mental health was assessed using the Youth Self Report (YSR) which measures total, internalising (withdrawn/depressed) and externalising (aggressive/delinquent) behaviour scores. Multiple linear regression was used to analyse associations between B-vitamins and mental health with adjustment for relevant confounders (n=709).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lower intake of vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and folate was associated with higher externalising behaviour scores (p ≤ 0.05). Reduced intake of vitamin B6 and folate was associated with higher internalising behaviour scores (p ≤ 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Poor nutrition may contribute to the pathogenesis of mental health problems in adolescence. The role of B-vitamins requires further investigation in randomised controlled trials.
authors.affiliation: Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
authors.forename: Carly E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Herbison
authors.forename: Siobhan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hickling
authors.forename: Karina L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: Therese A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: O'Sullivan
authors.forename: Monique
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Alexandra P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Bremner
authors.forename: Rae-Chi
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Lawrence J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Beilin
authors.forename: Trevor A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Mori
authors.forename: Wendy H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Oddy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000523:psychology; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014804:Vitamin B Deficiency / Q000523:psychology*; D014904:Western Australia / Q000453:epidemiology