Junk food

Child behavioral problems

  • In 2014 Nutrition published a study of 13,486 children aged 6-18 years which found that, based on surveys completed by children and their parents, there was a significant relationship between junk food consumption and psychiatric distress and violent behaviors. [Source]
  • In 2009 the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a study based on data collected from 4000 children which showed that higher junk food intake at age 4 was associated with increased hyperactivity at age seven. [Source]

Mental health

  • In 2014 the American Journal of Public Health published a review of 12 population-based studies which found that unhealthy dietary patterns were consistently associated with poorer mental health in children. [Source]

Mental and physical health

  • In 2014 Child: Care, Health and Development published study based on surveys completed by 10,645 participants between the ages of 12 and 16 which showed that irregular eating patterns and daily junk food consumption was linked to a significantly increased risk for poorer mental and physical health. Additionally, survey results showed that authoritative parenting was associated with healthier eating and better mental and physical health, when compared to other parenting styles. [Source]

Addiction

  • In 2016 Neuropsychopharmacology published an animal study which showed that eating junk food can produce long-lasting alterations in the brain that cause food addition. [Source]

During pregnancy

  • In 2007 The British Journal of Nutrition published an animal study which showed that rats fed a junk food diet while pregnant and during lactation had offspring that were more addicted to fatty, sugary and salty food compared to rats fed a balanced diet during pregnancy. [Source]

During pregnancy – impaired muscle development of offspring

  • In 2009 the European Journal of Nutrition published an animal study which showed that rats fed a junk food diet during pregnancy had offspring with reduced muscle force compared with the offspring of rats fed a balanced diet. [Source]

Most common sources

  • In 2012 Health Place published a study based on daily diary entries which found that high school girls reported eating 3.5 servings of unhealthy snacks per week at someone else’s house. [Source]
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