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Importance of Nutrition to Early Brain Growth

There is perhaps nothing more crucial to our lives than a healthy and functioning brain. The brain allows us to think and feel, it separates us as distinct individuals, and it maintains our biological functions.

  1. Brain Development

    • According to a study published in the "Archives of Disease in Childhood," the human brain develops early and quickly. Seventy percent of brain growth is completed by the end of the first year of life. The article emphasizes the importance of nutrition during these early stages because of this rapid growth.

    Nutrition

    • According to an article published in "American Psychologist" in 2001, it is crucial for the nutritional needs of postnatal children to be met. The brain depends on folic acid, iron and vitamins, among other nutrients, to grow and develop properly. Malnourishment may result in impeded brain development.

    Physical Effects

    • According to a study published in the "Archives of Disease in Childhood," undernourished children had smaller head circumferences, weighed less and were shorter compared with children with a normal diet.

    Mental Effects

    • In the same study, undernourished children displayed consistently lower IQ scores than children who had a normal diet.

    Limitations

    • While most scientists agree with the importance of nutrition for brain development, the field of brain development is still young. According to the article published in "American Psychologist" in 2001, part of this lack of knowledge has to do with the fact that brain researchers have trouble taking functional magnetic resonance images (MRIs) in children younger than 6 years because it requires them to sit still for more than half an hour. Also, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) restricts the amount of positron emission tomography (PET) that researchers can perform on children because it requires the injection of a radioactive isotope.

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