NUTRITIONAL INTAKE AND CONTEXT AS PREDICTORS OF COGNITION AND ADAPTIVE-BEHAVIOR OR EGYPTIAN SCHOOL-AGE-CHILDREN

Relations between nutrition, cognition, and adaptive behaviour measure s were assessed for 110 Egyptian pre-adolescents (47% male), ranging i n age from 7 to 10 years. Using a combination of oral recall and weigh ing of food portions, the level of dietary intake was obtained for 19 specific nutrients, including measures of energy (kilocalories), macro nutrients (protein, fat, carbohydrates), and micronutrients (vitamins, trace minerals). Children were tested on six subscales from the Egypt ian version of the WISC-R plus the Raven's coloured matrices, Based on repeated naturalistic observations we also obtained measures of the c hildren's behaviour in the school classroom, social interactions with peers and adults, activity level, and affect. Teacher ratings of the c hildren's classroom behaviour were also obtained. The results indicate d that specific nutritional indices were significantly related to male classroom behaviour and activity level, and to female verbal ability and classroom involvement. Although a diverse group of nutrients predi cted developmental outcomes, common to many of these nutrients was the fact that they were derived from intake of animal source foods. The r esults further indicated that relations between nutrition and children 's cognition and behaviour were mediated by contextual factors, such a s social class and cultural expectations about the appropriateness of given behaviours.