A study published this month (May 2025) on 1,967 Brazilian school children aged 6-11 years of age found a positive correlation between children who ate more ultra processed food,  ate less variety of healthy food options and had more unhealthy eating behaviours (such as eating whilst looking at a screen and eating at irregular times), and children who had poorer mental health.

Children with these negative eating patterns and behaviours had a 45% higher chance of having mental health problems. This study was limited by the design (an online questionnaire) and by the questionnaire focusing on the previous day's food intake; however, it provides further evidence that diet and wider health outcomes, including mental health outcomes in children are linked. Further research is needed, including to investigate how positive changes to eating patterns and behaviours could improve mental health outcomes in children.

Read the full article on consumption patterns and eating behaviors of schoolchildren associated with mental health problems.