Nuts are recognized for their nutritional richness, comprising essential fatty acids, proteins, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, with notable health benefits. Previous research has linked maternal intake of various nutrients during pregnancy to reduced risk of childhood behavioral issues. To explore further, scientists analyzed data from the Kyushu Okinawa Maternal and Child Health Study (KOMCHS) to investigate the potential association between maternal nut consumption during pregnancy and childhood behavioral problems.
Study Design:
The KOMCHS, a comprehensive pre-birth cohort study in Japan, collected data from pregnant women through surveys and self-administered questionnaires between April 2007 and March 2008. Information encompassed maternal characteristics, dietary habits, pregnancy-related factors, and children’s behavioral problems.
Key Findings:
Study Population: The analysis involved 1,199 mother-child pairs. Among children aged 59 to 71 months, varying percentages experienced emotional problems (12.9%), conduct problems (19.4%), hyperactivity problems (13.1%), peer problems (8.6%), and social behavioral problems (29.2%).
Maternal Nut Consumption: Of the participants, 618 mothers reported consuming nuts during pregnancy, with an average intake of 0.8 grams per day. Peanut consumption accounted for 36.2%, other nuts for 27.3%, and a combination for 36.4%.
Association with Childhood Behavioral Problems: Adjusted analysis revealed that children born to mothers who consumed nuts during pregnancy exhibited a significantly lower risk of peer problems. However, no significant association was found for other behavioral issues.
Sensitivity Analysis: Regardless of nut intake levels, the reduced risk of childhood peer problems persisted, indicating a consistent association.
Significance of the Study:
The study underscores the potential benefits of maternal nut consumption during pregnancy in mitigating children’s peer problems. While dietary and non-dietary factors were considered, residual confounders and limitations in dietary assessment suggest the need for further research to elucidate mechanistic connections.
