Associations Between Dietary Patterns and Mental Health Symptoms in Early Childhood: Findings From the CHILD Cohort Study
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the earliest developmental stage at which the association between unhealthy dietary patterns and depressive symptoms emerges, given that this relationship is well-documented in adolescents and adults but remains understudied in young children. METHODS: Children (N = 2360; mean age of 5.1[SD = 0.2] years; 48% female) enrolled in the CHILD birth cohort study were included. Parent-reported data on demographics, dietary intake, sleep, physical activity, mental health outcomes (Child Behavior Checklist [CBCL]), and family variables (parental education, household income, maternal depressive symptoms) were collected. Missing covariate data with
Fields of Study & Subjects
Nutritional Studies and Diet
Obesity
Physical Activity
Diet
Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics
- Publisher
- Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
- Volume
- 47
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- e362–e369
- Publication date
- 22 January 2026
- Language
- EN