Too many sweeties can make you violent

Eating sweets regularly in childhood increases can increase the level of aggression in a person when they reach adulthood, according to a new study

The research on almost 17,500 participants in the 1970 British Cohort Study found that 10-year-olds who ate confectionery daily were significantly more likely to have been convicted for violence between the ages of 29 and 34.

Researchers from Cardiff University found that 69% of the participants who were violent at that age had eaten sweets and chocolate nearly every day during childhood, compared to 42% who were non-violent.

This apparent link between confectionery consumption and violence remained after taking other factors into account.

The researchers suggest that giving children sweets and chocolate regularly may stop them learning how to wait to obtain something they want.

Not being able to delay gratification may push them towards more impulsive behaviour, which is strongly associated with delinquency.

The researchers say the apparent link between excessive consumption of confectionery and violence needs further study.

They suggest that targeting resources at improving children's diet may improve health and reduce aggression.

The research is published in the October issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry.

[Posted: Thu 01/10/2009]