U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

Diet and Delinquency - A Multi-State Replication

NCJ Number
92808
Journal
International Journal of Biosocial Research Volume: 5 Issue: 2 Dated: (1983) Pages: 70-78
Author(s)
S J Schoenthaler
Date Published
1983
Length
9 pages
Annotation
In 1982, one East Coast juvenile detention home lowered the frequency of antisocial behavior resulting in formal disciplinary actions 48 percent during the 12-month experimental stage of a 2-year double-blind study by using dietary intervention.
Abstract
Numerous States have adopted similar programs. This paper contains the results of nine additional institutions located in various parts of the country involving over 5,000 institutionalized juveniles. All 10 facilities have been successful in significantly reducing their institutional behavior problems from a low of 21 percent to a high of 54 percent under controlled experimentation. Primary dietary revisions have involved reducing foods and liquids which are high in sucrose and food additives such as candy and soft drinks. These foods have usually been replaced with complex carbohydrates such as fruit juices and vegetables. About 25 references are provided. (Author abstract modified)