Early malnutrition bodes ill for adult personality

[csziggy]

Here is the best argument (if innate generosity and ethics don't convince you to make sure your fellow humans are fed) for making sure infants and children have good nutrition throughout their growing years - they will be better balanced, more rational adults.

Early malnutrition bodes ill for adult personality
Food deprivation in infancy may promote negative traits at age 40
By Bruce Bower

Web edition: March 21, 2013

Malnutrition in the first year life, even when followed by a good diet and restored physical health, predisposes people to a troubled personality at age 40, new research suggests.
<SNIP>

Compared with peers who were well-fed throughout their lives, formerly malnourished men and women reported markedly more anxiety, vulnerability to stress, hostility, mistrust of others, anger and depression, Galler’s team reports March 12 in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. Survivors of early malnutrition also cited relatively little intellectual curiosity, social warmth, cooperativeness and willingness to try new experiences and to work hard at achieving goals.

Previous studies of people exposed prenatally to famine have reported increased rates of certain personality disorders and schizophrenia. Another investigation found that malnutrition at age 3 predisposed youngsters on the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius to delinquent and aggressive behavior at ages 8, 11 and 17.

As is true in the new study, distrust of others, anxiety and depression often accompany high levels of anger, says psychologist Adrian Raine of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, who directed the Mauritius research. “Poor nutrition early in life seems to predispose individuals to a suspicious personality, which may then fuel a hostile attitude toward others,” Raine proposes.
More: http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/349102/description/Early_malnutrition_bodes_ill_for_adult_personality

[polly7]

1. Thanks so much for the article.

Heartbreaking, when you consider the sheer number of infants / children in the world who are malnourished and deprived of adequate nutrition.

[csziggy]

3. The money we spend on military would feed, house, clothe

And educate the world. Think of what a better world we would have if we spent our money for those things.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

2. DU Rec

thanks for posting this.

[loudsue]

4. Sounds like they all turn out to be republicans, too. Hmm: distrust, little intellectual curiosity

Little social warmth, cooperativeness and willingness to try new experiences. Delinquent and agressive behavior, high levels of anger.

There is no reason, in this modern world, for there to be people who are going hungry. People need to start getting governments that support the people, not just support the wealthy.