Diet and nutrition play an important role in childhood development.

CSIRO's children and nutrition research

CSIRO is analysing results of a study into the role of selected nutrients – vitamins, minerals and highly unsaturated fatty acids in young children - as these nutrients seem to be linked with aspects of brain development and behaviour.

• 27 July 2005 | Updated 14 October 2011

• Study one – cognitive performance 
• Study two – Fatty acids, concentration and behaviour
• How will these studies be used?

CSIRO Human Nutrition researchers in Adelaide are analysing data from two recent studies focused on children.

The studies, funded by the Unilever Health Research Institute, investigated the effects of specific foods and nutrition on aspects of development and behaviour in children between 7 and 12 years-of-age.

Study one – cognitive performance 

In this study the team charted developments in the cognitive performance of 400 children, aged between 7 and 9, over 12 months, in Indonesia and Australia.

Cognitive abilities include learning, memorising information and solving problems – important life skills that are clearly significant for school performance.

Although little research has been done in this area it is thought that the diets of some children may be low in several vitamins and minerals important for brain development.

During the study the children were given supplements of nutrients needed for brain development, especially the frontal lobes, which are associated with a set of cognitive abilities called 'executive functions'. These include problem solving, planning, using strategies, evaluating and monitoring and staying on the task.

Executive functions show spurts of development in the 7-9 year-old age group.

During the trial the children took supplements each day, completed a series of cognitive and school performance tests with psychologists and kept food diaries for short periods.

Study two – Fatty acids, concentration and behaviour

Nutrients are important for health, but can also influence the way that children think and feel. Highly Unsaturated Fatty Acids (HUFAs) are especially important for healthy brain functioning.

HUFAs belong to the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids – found in nuts, seeds, fish and some leafy vegetables.

Many children in Western societies have diets low in HUFAs and/or may have difficulty metabolising HUFAs.

Studies in the United Kingdom and USA have shown that these deficiencies can impact on children's learning and behaviour, and are implicated in conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Importantly, studies have also found that supplementation over an extended period of time can improve children's learning and behaviour.

This eight month study in 2004, in association with the University of South Australia, investigated the impact of HUFA supplements on learning and behavioural problems in 7-12 year olds.

How will these studies be used?

The results from these studies will add to the growing body of knowledge about the importance of good nutrition and dietary habits in children. It may lead to new or revised recommendations for giving youngsters a good head start in life.

Results have been published as per scientific papers listed below in the References.

Find out more about the work CSIRO does in Food.