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Associate Parliamentary Food and Health Forum publishes
"The Links Between Diet and Behaviour:
the influence of nutrition on food and health"
Associate Parliamentary Food & Health Forum
Press Release
New Parliamentary report on the links between diet,
mental health and behaviour
The Associate Parliamentary Food and Health Forum today (30 January) issues a report which looks at the scientific evidence on whether mental health and performance canbe affected by what we eat, and explores how this may be happening. It concentrates particularly on the role of omega-3 fatty acids (whose benefits are promoted relentlessly and often inaccurately by the food industry) but recognises that other nutrients forming part of a healthy dietalso have a significant role.
The report backs the recommendations of the FSA that fish consumption should be increasedsince it is the prime source of omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, but is concerned that fish stocks may not be sufficient if this advice is followed and considers possible alternative sources of omega-3 fatty acids. The report emphasises the importance ofomega-3 in the diet of pregnant and breast feeding mothers and children since brain developmentmainly occursat the beginning of life, but also recognises that older people may benefit. There may be a protective effect of omega-3against Alzheimer's disease but the report concludes that more research, already under way, needs to be evaluated before firm conclusions can be drawn."
Half a dozen Parliamentarians have been conducting an inquiry for a year, in which they have taken scientific and other evidence from experts at a number of open meetings. Thisevidence has clarified the role of omega-3 and other nutrients in brain development and function, but has also revealed the need for further well conducted research into their effecton different aspects of human behaviour and cognitive development. However theyagreed that the evidence for the benefits of naturally occurring omega-3 in fish and fish oils was very powerful and that this should be a vital component of a well balanced healthy diet.
In their report, the Parliamentarians emphasise that we should consider the impact on our mental health, as well as our physical health, of what we eat. In particular the inquiry report looks at the evidence that diet influences the behaviour and performance of school children, the behaviour of offenders and people suffering from depression.
The recommendations range from advice on Government messages about healthy eating, to specific advice in relation to pregnant women and on nutritional standards in prisons.
Lord Rea, Chairman of the FHF inquiry team, said:
“The scientific evidence we heard showed very clearly the importance of omega-3 long chain fatty acids inbrain composition and function. There is epidemiological evidence that populations with a high fish intake have less depression, a lower rate of Alzheimer's disease and brighter children (as well as healthier hearts and arteries). But there is less hard evidence so far that intervention studies whichchange people's diets or give them supplementsshow a beneficial effect. However there are a few well conducted random controlled trials which do appear to showsuch an effect among juvenile offenders and children with ADHD and other behavioural disorders and we learnt of others in progress, somewhich we describe briefly in the report. However it became clear that far too little research of this kind has been done and one of our main recommendationsis that more should be commissioned and funded in view of the burden that mental and behavioural disorders place on society."
The report looks at a number of issues which may affect mental health and behaviour, including the controversial issue of artificial food colours. The Parliamentarians recommend that all artificial food colours (which have no nutritional value) and non-essential preservatives, should be banned from food products and soft drinks.
Dr Ian Gibson, said:
“It was an illuminating experience to hear from a wide range of scientists who have been studying the links between diet, mental health and behaviour. I was pleased that we were also able to hear from teachers at the grassroots level, such as those at Eaton Hall School in Norwich, who are trying to help children with behavioural problems. Mrs Moore and her colleagues do an excellent job and it was very interesting to hear how they are using emerging evidence on diet and behaviour as one strand in their approach to supporting their pupils.”
Earl Baldwin of Bewdley said:
“While we majored on the importance of fish oils, we were also impressed by the emerging evidence of the influence of a range of micronutrients on behaviour, performance and well-being, especially in young offenders, and by the importance for some people of avoiding foodstuffs to which they appear to be intolerant."
The report also recommends better diets for offenders held in prisons and young offender institutes, especially pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. It calls for the introduction of nutrient-based standards for meals, similar to those used in schools, but based on adult dietary needs.
Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer said:
"I am especially pleased that our report highlights how important fish oils are in a mother's diet. We heard how the development of the foetus brain isparticularly dependent on the mothers’ nutrient intake. Our report highlights how mothers with little or no control of their diet, such as those in prison, must be offered an adequate diet taking their pregnancy into account. Otherwise the unborn childcould behaving their life chances severely hampered even before they are born."
The Parliamentarians are also critical of medical training, noting that a lack of training in nutrition and diet for GPs and other medical professionals detracts from their ability to support their patients’ physical and mental health. The Parliamentarians recommend that this issue should be addressed by the Royal Medical Colleges and the General Medical Council.
The Government may be concerned that the Parliamentarians recommend it includes financial support to School Breakfast Clubs as part of the package set up to improve school meals. They strongly recommend that all children entitled to free school lunches should be entitled also to a free school breakfast the content of which, like school lunches, should be subject to quantified nutritional standards.
Baroness Gibson of Market Rasen said:
“A good breakfast is a good start to the day, especially for children. It (free school breakfasts for the children of low income families) could help the least well off in our society and help children to recognise good nutritional food as part of their everyday life.”
The Countess of Mar said:
"The evidence we received for this report has shown that whilst, in the past, we have recognised the importance of some of the major vitamins and minerals - those we see on cereal packets, for example, we may now be paying the price of ignoring the importance of the role played by lesser known factors, including trace elements in our health and behaviour. I was surprised by the lack of knowledge there is about these essential constituents in the human diet when, in my role as a farmer and stock breeder, I learned very early on to ensure that animals in my care receive a balanced diet, to look out forsigns and symptoms of deficiency before they become serious and to provide supplements if necessary. This report is a step along the way towards doing the same, particularly for infants, children and young people."
The members of the FHF inquiry team were: Lord Rea (Chairman), Baroness Gibson of Market Rasen, Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer, Dr Ian Gibson and Earl Baldwin of Bewdley.
You can download the Report here
More detailed information about the inquiry, including minutes of meetings and presentations given by witnesses, is available at: www.fhf.org.uk/inquiry