The CNP Diet and Aggression Research Category consolidates research exploring the interdependent relationship between child and adolescent dietary intake and aggression. 

To view each original study on the open internet, click “Original.” To view the CNP summary of the study, click “CNP Summary.” While a small portion of the studies in this research category is available below for free, the full set of studies (and their summaries) are available to CNP members through the CNP Library Membership (launching January 15, 2022).

2018

Reductions of intimate partner violence resulting from supplementing children with omega-3 fatty acids: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, stratified, parallel-group trial

This 2018 study investigated whether omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in children could reduce intimate partner violence or child maltreatment by their adult caregivers. While supplementation with these fatty acids have shown their ability to reduce problems with emotional and behavior control (externalizing behavior), the researchers wondered if these improvements in child behaviors induced by omega-3 could lead to enhanced behavior in the parents. As part of this randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 100 children received a fruit drink containing 1gram of omega-3 fats while the other 100 child participants were given the same fruit drink without omega-3's (referred to as the placebo group). Moreover, the caregivers of children in the omega-3 treatment group reported long-term reductions in the kids’ psychological aggression. Also, this study identified a correlation between improvements in adult psychological aggression with fewer externalizing behaviors in the children. However, incidences of child maltreatment were not affected. This is the first study to indicate that omega-3 supplementation in children can reduce inter-partner psychological aggression among adult caregivers. These results suggest that these omega-3 supplements could have long-term benefits on the family. [NPID: omega-3, omegas, fish, supplements, fatty acids, child abuse, violence, relationships, behavior, caregivers, aggression]

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CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership

2021

Omega-3 supplementation, child antisocial behavior, and psychopathic personality: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, stratified, parallel group trial

Since previous trials had already shown the efficacy of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in reducing antisocial behavior, this 2021 study also assessed whether treatment response to these supplements differ depending on gender and psychopathy. In this study, 324 schoolchildren (with an average age of 11.9 years) were randomized to either receive the omega-3 treatment, a placebo capsule, or no treatment. Both the parents and the children reported antisocial and aggressive behavior, and psychopathic-like personality at 3 different time points (at baseline, at end of treatment, and 6 months post-treatment). There was a significant reduction in antisocial behavior among females in the omega-3 group at the 6-month post-treatment mark (compared to baseline). Whereas there was no apparent change in antisocial behavior among the girls in the 2 control groups. When the researchers examined the relationship between group results, time, and psychopathy, they found that psychopathic personality levels moderated treatment outcome. Significant improvements in antisocial behavior were also reported at the end of treatment in the omega-3 treatment subjects who had high psychopathic-like personalities. To summarize these findings, omega-3 supplementation seems to help reduce childhood antisocial and aggressive behavior in females, and those with psychopathic-like personalities. [NPID: omega-3, fatty acids, supplements, antisocial behavior, children, school, personality, aggression, aggressive, psychopathic]

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2016

Nutritional supplementation to reduce child aggression: a randomized, stratified, single-blind, factorial trial

This 2016 study tests the theory that taking supplements of omega-3, multivitamins, and minerals for 3 months, in addition to receiving cognitive behavioral therapy, can further reduce childhood aggression (relative to nutritional supplementation only). The participants (290 children aged between 11 and 12 years) were split up into 4 treatment groups: nutrition only; cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) only; Nutrition + CBT; and Control. Both the children and parents reported the child’s aggressive and antisocial behavior at baseline, at the end of treatment (3-month mark), at 6 months, and at 12 months. Based on the self-reports of the children, those in the nutrition only group showed reduced externalizing behaviors compared to controls at the 3-month mark (externalizing behaviors often harm others as opposed to lashing out at one self). At the 6-month period, the Nutrition + CBT group exhibited less externalizing behavior than both cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) only and Control groups. However, the group differences in outcomes were not maintained at 9-months post-treatment. This trial represents the first investigation of using nutritional supplements in conjunction with CBT in children. Overall, the results offered limited support for the efficacy of omega-3, vitamin, and mineral supplementation in reducing aggressive behavior in children. [NPID: children, aggression, aggressive, nutrition, omega 3, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, CBT, cognitive behavioral therapy, antisocial, behavior]

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CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership

2018

Adherence to a Dash-style diet in relation to depression and aggression in adolescent girls

The aim of this 2018 study was to examine if there is a connection between adherence to the Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) dietary pattern with depression and aggression in adolescent girls. The study recruited and assessed 580 girls (aged between 12 and 18 years of age). Data analysis models were adjusted to account for age, energy intake, mother's job status, passive smoking, start of menstruation, parental death, parental divorce, physical activity level and body mass index. It was found that a high adherence to a Dash-style diet was linked with a lower risk of depression, when compared with those with lower adherence to the same diet. The subjects in the upper quartile for adherence were 53% less likely to have depression than those in the lowest quartile. These associations remained significant after adjustments were made. However, an association between adherence to the DASH diet and aggression could not be identified. In conclusion, greater adherence to the DASH diet was inversely correlated with odds of depression. [NPID: depression, aggression, DASH diet, diet, nutrition, Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension, adolescents]

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2019

Dietary intake of carotenoids and fiber is inversely associated with aggression score in adolescent girls

The aim of this 2019 study was to investigate the relationship between dietary consumption and aggressive behavior in Iranian adolescent girls. The sample included 670 girls aged 12-18 years, who were administered with a food frequency questionnaire (to assess dietary intake) and a validated Persian version of the Buss-Perry questionnaire (to log their aggression scores). Khayyatzadeh et al. discovered that the girls with the highest aggression scores (fourth quartile) consumed significantly more energy than the girls who scored lowest in aggression (first quarter). Higher dietary intakes of soluble and insoluble fibers were observed in the girls belonging to the lowest aggression quartile, compared with those girls in the highest aggression quartile. Moreover, there was further evidence demonstrating negative correlations (statistically significant) between aggression scores with soluble and insoluble fibers. Lower aggression scores were also associated with higher consumption of dietary α-carotene and β-carotene. These results indicated that dietary intakes of fiber, α-carotene, and β-carotene were inversely connected with aggression score in Iranian adolescent girls. While greater aggression scores were also related with higher energy consumption. [NPID: violence, Iran, adolescence, fiber, α-carotene, β-carotene]

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CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership

2017

Diet quality and bullying among a cross-national sample of youth

Although bullying perpetration and victimization have been associated with several high-risk health behaviors, this 2017 study highlights the largely unexplored link between bullying and diet quality. This present study specifically examined the relationship between diet quality, bully perpetration, and bully victimization among a group of adolescents. Jackson was able to gather data from 41 countries/regions in North America and Europe. These reports provided insight into young people’s lives from a social perspective, their health behaviors, and their role in bullying. According to the data, around 11% of youth in the sample bully other young people at least 2-3 times per month, while 13% of youths are bullied by other youths at least 2-3 times a month. Analysis models revealed that those with low-quality diets were 123% more likely to be a bully, compared to those who eat high-quality diets. On the other hand, diet quality did not appear to affect odds of being a bully victim. Furthermore, the results suggested that this connection between low diet quality and bully perpetration was stronger in very developed countries, compared to developed nations. To conclude, interventions that address dietary behaviors may be helpful in reducing the incidence of bullying among young people, especially in very developed countries. [NPID: bully, bullying, victim, behaviors, diet quality, diet, nutrition, North America, Europe, adolescents, youth, children, eating behaviors]

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