Poor Nutrition in Childhood Linked to Adult Crime
Posted: Saturday, October 10, 2009
by Howard Jamison
Jamison & Associates
Research led by Simon Moore, a senior lecturer in Violence and Society Research at Cardiff University in the U.K., investigated the factors that lead children to commit serious crimes. During his research he found that "kids with the worst problems tend to be impulsive risk takers and that these kids had terrible diets – breakfast was Coke and a bag of chips" for instance.
The information collected included what they ate, certain health measures and their socioeconomic status. Moore studied the data for information on the children's diet and their behavior as they grew up. During the study, the children were asked how much candy they consumed at age 10 and at age 34, they were asked about whether they had been convicted of a crime.
So in the findings, the data suggests that regardless of environment, lifestyle influences, economic status, parenting style, or education, it is the consumption and frequency of candy or other sweets in childhood that sets them up for adult violence.
It could also be said that the child develops a learned behavior and receives the ‘instant gratification' by receiving candy. Therefore, not learning to behave and delay the gratification of a reward (candy) could lead the child to become impulsive carrying that trait into adulthood.
A University of Oxford researcher recently published findings stating that prisoners who were given vitamin supplements (presumably getting well-balanced nutrition) showed lower rates of disciplinary events and aggressive outbursts than a control group who were given placebo pills.
Dr. Stephen Schoenthaler has also conducted research at schools and among prison inmates to show this similar correlation between diet and violence. For more information go to this link:
http://www.jamisonmedia.com/Stephen-Schoenthaler-Video.html
Howard
has a keen interest in alternative and integrative health methods.
His research has revealed that a person's eating habits and lifestyle
can have a dramatic affect on their health. Howard has extensive
background in video production and has conducted numerous video
interviews with professionals in the alternative health field.
For more information visit the following websites:
AlternativeHealthZone.com
HowardJamison.com
For more information visit the following websites:
AlternativeHealthZone.com
HowardJamison.com
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)I agree that health and nutrition can contribute to such behavior, but I don't believe in what you said here:"...So in the findings, the data suggests that regardless of environment, lifestyle influences, economic status, parenting style, or education, it is the consumption and frequency of candy or other sweets in childhood that sets them up for adult violence."*** "Regardless of...?" I don't see how unhealthy dieting habits by themselves could be "solely" responsible for serious crimes. I could see how bad eating habits in conjunction with bad environment, lifestyle influences, economic status, parenting style, and/or education could be a problem.*** I once lived with a woman who allowed her son to eat candy and junk food constantly, and I would get all over her about it; reminding her of the aches, pains, and dental bills he would one day accumulate. Obviously at the time I knew nothing about a study linking bad eating habits and crime because if I had I would have used it as more weaponry against her.*** A typical day for Ryan would be: He'd leave for school in the morning without eating breakfast, eat junk out of the schools vending machines during the day, and then when we would sit down for a good dinner later that night, he would complain and demand McDonald's. She of course would let him have his way, and go get him what he wanted. This would drive me insane!!*** However, I ran into his Dad recently, and asked how Ryan was, and he told me Ryan had completed welding school, worked in his field, saved some money, and is now in a Florida university earning a Bachelor's degree in film and theater. Not to mention he has no criminal record at all!*** One thing I will say about Ryan; although moody, he always was a good kid and got excellent grades in school.
Interesting findings and theories. Good info to ponder--thanks.Steve
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