Nutrient-behavior research with children: methods, considerations, and evaluation.

Abstract

Diet-behavior research with children formerly focused on effects of diet regimens, as with additive-free diets for hyperactivity. However, an important new area of investigation includes studies of the immediate effects of individual nutrients, such as sugar, on the behavior and cognition of children. Studies of this type use methods from a variety of disciplines. Competence in the fields of nutrition, behavior, neurochemistry, and metabolism is required to perform the studies. Important components of nutrient-behavior studies include the study hypothesis and subject description (including recruitment and selection). Aspects of the food challenge to consider are challenge formulation, dosage, carrier, background dietary variables, and challenge administration schedule. Dependent measures that are used frequently in the studies include observations of behavior, rating scales, activity monitoring, biochemical measures, laboratory tests of performance and attention, tests of cognitive function, and measures of mood. Familiarity with each of the components and use of specific evaluation guidelines will enable nutrition professionals to critically evaluate the studies.