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An Overview on the Associations between Health Behaviors and Brain Health in Children and Adolescents with Special Reference to Diet Quality

Author

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  • Sehrish Naveed

    (Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio Campus, 70211 Kuopio, Finland)

  • Timo Lakka

    (Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio Campus, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
    Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Kuopio University Hospital and University of Eastern Finland, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
    Kuopio Research Institute of Exercise Medicine, 70100 Kuopio, Finland)

  • Eero A. Haapala

    (Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio Campus, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
    Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä, 40014 Jyväskylä, Finland)

Abstract

Unhealthy diet has been associated with overweight, obesity, increased cardiometabolic risk, and recently, to impaired cognition and academic performance. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the associations between health behaviors and cognition and academic achievement in children and adolescents under 18 years of age with a special reference to diet quality. Dietary patterns with a low consumption of fish, fruits, and vegetables, and high in fast food, sausages, and soft drinks have been linked to poor cognition and academic achievement. The studies on the associations between the high intake of saturated fat and red meat and low intake of fiber and high-fiber grain products with cognition are limited. The available evidence and physiological mechanisms suggest that diet may have direct, indirect, and synergistic effects on brain and cognition with physical activity, sedentary behaviors, cardiometabolic health, and sleep, but the associations have been modest. Therefore, integrating a healthy diet, physically active lifestyle, and adequate sleep may provide optimal circumstances for brain development and learning. We conclude that most of the existing literature is contained in cross-sectional studies, which therefore highlights the need for longitudinal and intervention studies on the effects of diet, physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep on cognition and academic performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Sehrish Naveed & Timo Lakka & Eero A. Haapala, 2020. "An Overview on the Associations between Health Behaviors and Brain Health in Children and Adolescents with Special Reference to Diet Quality," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-20, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:3:p:953-:d:316152
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Souhail Hermassi & Thomas Bartels & Lawrence D. Hayes & René Schwesig, 2022. "Fitness, Fatness, and Academic Attainment in Male Schoolchildren from a Soccer Academy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-14, March.

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