Low dietary intake of magnesium is associated with increased externalising behaviours in adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
Adequate Zn and Mg intakes may be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. We aimed to investigate the prospective association between dietary intakes of Zn and Mg and internalising and externalising behaviour problems in a population-based cohort of adolescents.


METHODS
Prospective analysis (general linear mixed models) of dietary intakes of Zn and Mg assessed using a validated FFQ and mental health symptoms assessed using the Youth Self-Report (YSR), adjusting for sex, physical activity, family income, supplement status, dietary misreporting, BMI, family functioning and energy intake.


METHODS
Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study.


METHODS
Adolescents (n 684) at the 14- and 17-year follow-ups.


RESULTS
Higher dietary intake of Mg (per SD increase) was significantly associated with reduced externalising behaviours (β = -1.45; 95% CI -2.40, -0.50; P = 0.003). There was a trend towards reduced externalising behaviours with higher Zn intake (per SD increase; β = -0.73; 95% CI -1.57, 0.10; P = 0.085).


CONCLUSIONS
The study shows an association between higher dietary Mg intake and reduced externalising behaviour problems in adolescents. We observed a similar trend, although not statistically significant, for Zn intake. Randomised controlled trials are necessary to determine any benefit of micronutrient supplementation in the prevention and treatment of mental health problems in adolescents.
1Telethon Kids Institute,The University of Western Australia,100 Roberts Road,Subiaco,WA 6008,Australia.
Lucinda J
LJ
Black
1Telethon Kids Institute,The University of Western Australia,100 Roberts Road,Subiaco,WA 6008,Australia.
Karina L
KL
Allen
1Telethon Kids Institute,The University of Western Australia,100 Roberts Road,Subiaco,WA 6008,Australia.
Peter
P
Jacoby
1Telethon Kids Institute,The University of Western Australia,100 Roberts Road,Subiaco,WA 6008,Australia.
Gina S
GS
Trapp
1Telethon Kids Institute,The University of Western Australia,100 Roberts Road,Subiaco,WA 6008,Australia.
Caroline M
CM
Gallagher
2School of Psychology,The University of Western Australia,Perth,Western Australia,Australia.
Susan M
SM
Byrne
1Telethon Kids Institute,The University of Western Australia,100 Roberts Road,Subiaco,WA 6008,Australia.
Wendy H
WH
Oddy
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D001007:Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control; D001315:Australia; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003863:Depression / Q000517:prevention & control; D004032:Diet; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008274:Magnesium / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008275:Magnesium Deficiency / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000068356:Self-Control; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
D008274:Magnesium; D015032:Zinc
Dietary intake; Magnesium; Mental health; Raine Study