Infant malnutrition predicts conduct problems in adolescents.
Nutr Neurosci
; 15(4): 186-92, 2012 Jul.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-22584048
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
The purpose of this study was to compare the prevalence of conduct problems in a well-documented sample of Barbadian adolescents malnourished as infants and a demographic comparison group and to determine the extent to which cognitive impairment and environmental factors account for this association.METHODS:
Behavioral symptoms were assessed using a 76-item self-report scale in 56 Barbadian youth (11-17 years of age) with histories of protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) limited to the first year of life and 60 healthy classmates. Group comparisons were carried out by longitudinal and cross-sectional multiple regression analyses at 3 time points in childhood and adolescence.RESULTS:
Self-reported conduct problems were more prevalent among previously malnourished youth (P < 0.01). Childhood IQ and home environmental circumstances partially mediated the association with malnutrition. Teacher-reported classroom behaviors at earlier ages were significantly correlated with youth conduct problems, confirming the continuity of conduct problems through childhood and adolescence.DISCUSSION:
Self-reported conduct problems are elevated in children and adolescents with histories of early childhood malnutrition. Later vulnerability to increased conduct problems appears to be mediated by the more proximal neurobehavioral effects of the malnutrition on cognitive function and by adverse conditions in the early home environment.
Texto completo:
1
Bases de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Trastornos de la Nutrición del Lactante
/
Conducta del Adolescente
/
Desnutrición Proteico-Calórica
/
Trastorno de la Conducta
Tipo de estudio:
Etiology_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Adolescent
/
Child
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Infant
/
Male
/
Newborn
País/Región como asunto:
Barbados
/
Caribe ingles
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Nutr Neurosci
Asunto de la revista:
CIENCIAS DA NUTRICAO
/
NEUROLOGIA
Año:
2012
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos