Health researchers at Deakin University in Australia have found that poor diet might be a risk factor for mental health problems in young people.
A study of 3,000 adolescents aged 11 to 18 found that 'changes in diet quality over time were linked to changes in mental health,' according to project leader Dr Felice Jacka.
'This new evidence suggests that it might be possible to prevent some cases of depression developing in the first place by ensuring that the diets of adolescents are sufficiently nutritious.'
Dr Jacka suggested that following guidelines for eating two servings of fruit and five servings of vegetables a day could protect youngsters against mental health problems.
The results of the study have been published in the latest issue of journal PLoS One.
