Did you know that the food our kids eat can play a crucial role in shaping their behaviour? What your child eats can even address aggressive behaviours like bullying.
A recent study, the 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth (CHSCY), shed light on a concerning statistic – a whopping 71% of Canadian adolescents aged 12 to 17 reported encountering bullying in the past year. Bullying, whether it’s physical, verbal, or emotional, has far-reaching consequences on social, physical, and mental well-being. For children with ADHD or autism, who often face challenges like impulse control, mood swings, and social difficulties, making strategic nutritional adjustments can be a game-changer. But here’s the good news: there’s a nutritional approach that can make a difference.
Nutrition & Bullying
Research suggests that implementing prevention programs, with a focus on supplementation or improved nutrition, can make a difference.
Picture this: in juvenile correctional institutions, adopting nutrient-dense diets aligned with World Health Organization guidelines led to a jaw-dropping 50% reduction in violence and antisocial behaviour. Now, don’t get me wrong; I’m not saying we should turn our homes into mini correctional facilities. But the connection between nutrition and behavior is too fascinating to ignore! And guess what: These positive outcomes extend beyond correctional facilities to our regular school-going kiddos aged 6-12.
For neurodiverse kids, like those with ADHD or autism, research suggests that implementing dietary strategies and supplementation can have a significant impact on reducing aggression and improving behaviour. That’s why I create the Thrive with ADHD workshop.
The Power of Childhood Nutrition
I can across a study that blew my mind and I really need more people and parents to know about it. I want to yell it from the roof top but for the time being, I’ll just share it here with you. The study was published in the Journal of Alternative Complementary Medicine and showed that school-aged kids who received low-dose vitamin-mineral tablets showed significantly less violence and antisocial behaviour compared to those given placebos. This highlights the potential of supplementing with a good multivitamin to address antisocial and aggressive behaviours in our school-aged children. It’s not just about boosting vitamin concentrations in their blood; it’s about enhancing brain function, leading to a nearly 50% decrease in institutional violence and antisocial behaviour.
What’s remarkable about this is that no massive nutritional or lifestyle changes were required. No dietary restrictions were needed either (we all know how hard it is to say “no” when I child asks for their favourite foods time and time again). This is not to say that your child’s nutrition from whole food sources isn’t valuable or important, because it absolutely is. This study merely reminds us that small (and quick!) tweaks to our child’s nutrition (even via supplementation) can make a big difference in the behaviour.
If you have a child with ADHD or behavioural problems, I’m sure you can appreciate the simplicity of this. We know that
dietary challenges and nutrient deficiencies are common among these kids, so small tweaks can lead to major shifts in behaviour – without overwhelming your child with drastic dietary changes.
Addressing Aggressive Behaviours
If we want to tackle bullying, we need to recognize the pivotal role of nutrition. Research strongly supports the significant impact of supplementing with essential vitamins and minerals, providing a cost-effective opportunity to reduce aggression and violence in both correctional institutions and regular school environments.
So, let’s work together to foster healthier relationships and creating safer school environments for our incredible youth. Because when it comes to our kids, every little step toward a brighter future matters.
Recommended Nutrients / Vitamins for Kids 3-12:
The study mentioned above gave the inmates a daily multivitamin and an omega-3 supplement that contained about 50% of the RDA for 4 weeks. Here are some great multivitamins and omega-3 options for you to try at home:
Multivitamins:
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Natural Factors Big Friends Multivitamin & Minerals
Omega 3s:
For more personalized coaching and nutrition advice tailored to your child’s unique needs, I’m here to help! For personalized coaching, picky eating help, and nutrition/supplement advice for your family, please book a call to learn more about my Family Nutrition Coaching programs.
Or to learn more about my Thrive with ADHD workshop – a 90-minute session filled with science-backed strategies designed to help your neurodivergent child thrive – Click here.
