Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

The present article examines several current methodological issues in the research on diet and behavior in children. When careful consideration is given to research design, administration of the independent variable, measurement of dependent variables, and statistical analysis, the most conclusive results are obtained from experimental studies. At this early stage in the study of diet and behavior in children, evidence from clinical reports and passive-observational (also called correlational) studies are useful for generating hypotheses. Even when experimental methods are used, there are several issues important for the interpretation of studies addressing the topic of diet and behavior in children.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Campbell, D.T. , & Stanley, J.C. Experimental and quasi-experimental designs for research. Chicago: Rand McNally, 1969.

Colquhoun, V. , & Bunday, S. A lack of essential fatty acids as a possible cause of hyperactivity. Unpublished manuscript, 1980. (Available from Hyperactive Children's Support Group, 59, Meadowside, Angmering, West Sussex, England.)

Conners, C.K. , & Blouin, A.G. Sugar and behavior in children. In H. Lieberman & R.J. Wurtman (Eds.), Proceedings of the Conference on Research Strategies for Assessing the Behavioral Effects of Food and Nutrients. Cambridge, Mass.: M.I.T., 1982.

Cook, T.D. , & Campbell, D.T. Quasi-experimentation: Design and analysis issues for field settings. Chicago: Rand McNally, 1979.

Gross, H.A. , et al. Prostaglandins. Archives of General Psychiatry , 1977, 34, 1189.

Harris, R.J. A primer of multivariate statistics. New York: Academic Press, 1975.

Horrobin, D. F. A biochemical basis for alcoholism and alcohol-induced damage including the fetal alcohol syndrome and cirrhosis: Interference with essential fatty acid and prostaglandin metabolism. Medical Hypotheses, 1980, 6, 929.

Hudspeth, W.J. , Peterson, L.W. , Soli, D.E. , & Trimble, B.A. Neuropsychological aspects of reactive hypoglycemia/hyperosmolality. Unpublished manuscript, University of Nevada School of Medicine , 1980.

Kanarek, R.B. Editorial. Nutrition and Behavior, 1982, 1, 1-3.

10.

Kolata, G. Food affects human behavior. Science, 1982 , 218, 1209-1210.

11.

Lester, M.L. , Thatcher, R.W. , & Monroe-Lord, L. Refined carbohydrate intake, hair cadmium levels, and cognitive functioning in children. Nutrition and Behavior , 1982, 1, 3-15.

12.

Lieberman, H. , & Wurtman, R.J. (Eds.). Proceedings of the Conference on Research Strategies for Assessing the Behavioral Effects of Food and Nutrients. Cambridge, Mass.: M.I.T., 1982.

13.

Prinz, R.J. , Roberts, W.A. , & Hantman, E. Dietary correlates of hyperactive behavior in children. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1980, 48, 760-769.

14.

Rapoport, J. Methodology for assessing effects of dietary substances in grade school children . In H. Lieberman & R.J. Wurtman (Eds.), Proceedings of the Conference on Research Strategies for Assessing the Behavioral Effects of Food and Nutrients . Cambridge, Mass.: M.I.T., 1982.

15.

Wurtman, R.J. Nutrients that modify brain function. Scientific American , 1982, 246(4), 50-59.

16.

Weiss, B. , et al. Behavioral response to artificial food colors. Science, 1980, 207, 1487-1489.

Diet and behavior in children: methodological considerations

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References