EFFECTS OF NUTRITION ON BEHAVIOR AND MENTAL PERORMANCE

Nutrition can affect behavior and emotional adjustment. However, to demonstrate a clear-cut relationship between nutrition on the one hand and behavior and emotional adjustment on the other is extremely difficult since nutrition is only one of a number of factors affecting the expression of interaction of the individual and his environment. Nevertheless, the effects of under-nutrition or malnutrition be discernible in situations which are complicated by poor physical environment and emotional stresses and strains. Periods of severe under-feeding provide evidence.

Spies et al described a child whom they had observed from 5-12 years of age. He was a white boy, the fourth child in a family of ten that had lived on a diet consisting chiefly of corn bread, biscuits, fat pork, sugar, occasionally turnip greens, corn, tomatoes and berries in season. Rarely did this child have any milk, eggs, meat, fish or cheese. At 5 years of age he was retarded in growth and showed clinical evidence of deficiencies in thiamine, riboflavin and niacin. His mother reported that he had “cracks” (symptom of riboflavin deficiency) at the corner of his mouth most of his life and frequently his tongue was red and sore (symptom of niacin deficiency). During the following three years his mother complained that he was fractious, and his teacher stated that he did not concentrate on his school work and poor grades and was quarrelsome. At 8 years and 9 months he was given a skimmed milk supplement which increased his intake of protein, calcium, thiamine, riboflavin and niacin. No other changes were made in his life. During the first year, there was little change in his lip and tongue condition and disposition of his school grades. Following that year gradual improvement in lip and tongue symptoms was noted. His mother reported great improvement in his disposition. His teacher said that, he could concentrate better on his studies, his school grades had improved and his behavior was excellent. This relatively small improvement in his diet had contributed slowly to somewhat better living for this child even though it was insufficient to improve his growth rate in height and weight.

Children with Kwashiorkar, a severe type of protein malnutrition, have a characteristic behavior. These children are dull, apathetic, and miserable. They sit without moving, indifferent to their surroundings. They rarely cry or scream, just whimper. When they are cured, the behavioral change from “peevish mental apathy” to “impish humor and vitality” is striking.
Observations during real life situations of under-nutrition have been corroborated by the changes in behavior of the subjects of the Minnesota Study on Starvation. The progressive anatomic and bio-chemical changes which produced sensations, drives and limitations to physical functions rendered the man increasingly ineffective in their daily life. During the period of semi-starvation men who had been energetic, even-tempered, humorous, patient, tolerant, enthusiastic, ambitious and emotionally stable became tired, apathetic, irritable, lacking in self-discipline and self-control. They lost much of their ambition and former self-initiated spontaneous physical and mental activity. They moved cautiously, climbed stairs one step at a time and tended to be awkward, tripping over curbstones and bumping into objects. They lost interest in their appearance. They dressed carelessly and often neglected to shave, brush teeth and comb their hair. They became more concerned with themselves and less with others. It required too much effort to be sociable. Their interests narrowed. The educational program, which was to prepare them for foreign rehabilitation work, collapsed. Humor and high spirits were replaced by soberness and seriousness. Any residual humor was of a sarcastic nature. They had periods of depression and became discouraged in part because of their inability to sustain mental and physical effort. They were frustrated because of the difference between what they wished to do and what they could do. They found themselves buying things which were not useful at the time. They stopped having “dates.” All sex feelings and expression virtually disappeared. All the time they were being distracted by hunger. Sensations and showing great concern about and interest in food. When their food was increased during the rehabilitation period, their psychological recovery was somewhat faster than their physical improvement, although many months of unlimited diet passed before recovery was complete. Emotional stability and sociability were regained more rapidly than strength, endurance and sexual drive.

The sudden feeling of improvement however was temporary. Morale became low because many anticipated quick, complete recovery. As energy increased, they no longer were willing to accept conditions unquestionably and showed annoyance at restrictions. Many grew argumentative and negativistic. Humor, enthusiasm and sociability reappeared; irritability and nervousness diminished. The feeling of well-being increases the range of interest. The sense of group identity which had become strong during the semi-starvation period was dissipated as men began looking forward to making plans for their future. An interest in activity and sex increased. Their concern about food decreased after a period of insatiable appetite when they were first permitted to eat all they desired.

Intelligence: It has been shown that under-nutrition or malnutrition can affect mental activities or the way an individual uses his mental abilities. In the Minnesota study, according to both clinical judgment and quantitative tests, the men’s mental capacity did not change appreciably during either semi-starvation or rehabilitation. The subjective estimates of loss of intellectual ability may be attributed to physical disability and emotional factors.

Studies of the effect of thiamine supplements upon learning ability have given no assurance that adding thiamine to the diet of schoolage children will be followed by increased ability to learn. Evidence has been cited that underfeeding has a real effect upon the well-being of an individual, and is reflected in his behavior. It would be wise, therefore, to keep in mind the nutritional needs of children and to meet them wherever possible.

Dr. Nahida M.Mulla M.D.MACH
Principal,
A M Shaikh Homoeopathic Medical College, Nehru Nagar, BELGAUM