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Effect of vitamin A on aggressive behavior in youth
Author(s)
Date Issued
2022
Conference
Citation
Lam, Bess Yin-Hung & Rainem, Adrian (2022 Nov 17). Effect of vitamin A on aggressive behavior in youth. 2022 ASC Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA.
Type
Conference Paper
Abstract
Background: Previous literature found that nutritional diet such as vitamin A is effective in enhancing neuropsychological functions. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of vitamin A dietary on reducing aggressive behaviors in youth.
Method: One hundred youth, between 12 and 24 years of age (mean age= 18.41 years; 65 females and 35 males), completed a dietary, behavioral and neurocognitive- related questionnaire. All participants were asked to fill out the neuropsychological measures and the Reactive- Proactive Aggression Questionnaire. A three days (2 weekdays and 1 weekend) dietary report of each participant was recorded and the average of the 3-day dietary intake was computed for data analyses in the present study.
Result: Regression analysis was performed. After controlling for age, gender, family income and neuropsychological scores, vitamin A intake still significantly predicted reactive aggression in youth (b= -0.002, p= 0.001) while it was not significant for proactive aggression.
Conclusion: These pilot findings suggest that vitamin A dietary has a beneficial effect on reducing reactive aggression and such effect is still present after controlling for neuropsychological functions in youth. These have important clinical implications. Specifically, higher intake of vitamin A should be encouraged in youths so to reduce their aggressive behaviors.
Method: One hundred youth, between 12 and 24 years of age (mean age= 18.41 years; 65 females and 35 males), completed a dietary, behavioral and neurocognitive- related questionnaire. All participants were asked to fill out the neuropsychological measures and the Reactive- Proactive Aggression Questionnaire. A three days (2 weekdays and 1 weekend) dietary report of each participant was recorded and the average of the 3-day dietary intake was computed for data analyses in the present study.
Result: Regression analysis was performed. After controlling for age, gender, family income and neuropsychological scores, vitamin A intake still significantly predicted reactive aggression in youth (b= -0.002, p= 0.001) while it was not significant for proactive aggression.
Conclusion: These pilot findings suggest that vitamin A dietary has a beneficial effect on reducing reactive aggression and such effect is still present after controlling for neuropsychological functions in youth. These have important clinical implications. Specifically, higher intake of vitamin A should be encouraged in youths so to reduce their aggressive behaviors.
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