What is the best diet to support a child’s intellectual, emotional, and behavioural development?
That is the question the charity Food for the Brain hopes to answer with the launch of its new initiative, COGNITION for Smart Kids and Teens. The project aims to explore how nutrition can influence brain health and development in children and teenagers – particularly against the backdrop of rising diagnoses of autism, ADHD, and other forms of neurodivergence.
Recent data from the Scottish Census reveals that one in 14 boys are now diagnosed with autism, while across the UK, one in six children are identified as having special educational needs. The charity believes nutrition plays a critical but often overlooked role in this trend.
“Studies have shown that intake of B vitamins, as well as seafood rich in omega-3, in both the pregnant mother and in children, predicts both behaviour and school performance,” said nutritionist Natalie Coghlan, who leads the project. “We are researching not only what nutrition is required to prevent problems, but also what is optimal to help children achieve their full potential. Everyone – both parents and children – can get involved. It’s free.”
As part of the programme, parents are invited to complete an online questionnaire assessing their child’s diet, lifestyle, emotions, and behaviour using the widely validated Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Children also complete an online Cognitive Function Test. Based on the responses, parents receive personalised feedback and advice. The programme offers ongoing support through email, text reminders, and Zoom groups to help families make sustainable nutrition and lifestyle changes.
Parents can also choose to carry out an at-home fingerprick blood test to check for omega-3, vitamin D, B vitamins, antioxidants, and blood sugar levels. Older children and teenagers are encouraged to complete the assessments themselves, promoting autonomy in managing their own health.
The project is backed by compelling research. One study involving 11,875 pregnant women showed that low seafood intake was linked to poorer social behaviour, communication, motor skills, and verbal IQ in their children. Another follow-up study published last month found that nine-year-olds who didn’t eat fish had a 43% higher risk of behavioural issues, including increased aggression. Alarmingly, 7% of UK children reportedly eat no fish at all.
Folate, a key B vitamin, is also gaining attention. A Swedish study linked higher folate intake with better school grades. Another study showed that children born to mothers low in B vitamins before conception were more likely to display anxiety, aggression, depression, or social withdrawal by the age of six.
The COGNITION initiative is supported by a multidisciplinary team of scientists, including psychologists, neuroscientists, and nutritionists. Among them is Professor Julia Rucklidge, a clinical psychologist at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. “Mental health problems have been rising dramatically in children over the last few decades,” she said. “As a child clinical psychologist, I am acutely aware we have been ignoring the food environment as a contributing factor to the statistics. It’s time for the landscape to change. I urge all parents to join the Smart Kids project.”
The project’s research is overseen by Dr Tommy Wood, assistant professor of paediatrics and neuroscience at the University of Washington. “We know that several aspects of health and lifestyle that support long-term cognitive function in adults are also critical for early brain development,” he said. “Learning from our highly successful and practical COGNITION programme to prevent cognitive decline in adults, we’re applying these same principles to help children be as smart and happy as they can be.”
Dr Rona Tutt OBE, a former SEN school head and past president of the National Association of Head Teachers, is also backing the programme. “People come in assorted shapes and sizes with brains that are unique,” she said. “A significant minority who are neurodivergent need to be recognised, valued, and supported so they can maximise their strengths and overcome their challenges. Joining the Smart Kids project will set them on the path to a healthier lifestyle and a more fulfilling future.”
To take part in the initiative and receive personalised feedback on your child’s cognitive, emotional, and nutritional profile, click here.
Food for the Brain is a registered charity focused on promoting mental well-being and brain health through optimum nutrition. The foundation provides evidence-based education and practical tools to parents, teachers, health professionals, and policymakers across all stages of life.
