Hung-Chang Liao, Ya-Huei Wang
Narrative medicine and humanities for health professions education: an experimental study
Medical education online
given high prevalence suboptimal nutrition low activity levels children systematically reviewed literature relationship physical activity dietary patterns cognitive development early childhood six months five years february 2016 conducted two different searches medline psycinfo eric search included either physical activity including gross motor skills diet terms neurocognitive development outcome terms included studies english published since 2005 study design physical activity diet measure occurred prior age five physical activity twelve studies 5 crosssectional 3 longitudinal 4 experimental included eleven studies reported evidence suggesting physical activity gross motor skills related cognition learning acute bouts longer term exposures showed benefit diet eight studies included consisting secondary analyses longitudinal cohort studies healthier dietary pattern associated better cognitive outcomes studies although reported associations weak measures used varied across studies physical activity healthy diets early childhood associated better cognitive outcomes young children paucity literature variability type quality measures used highlight need rigorous research given early childhood years critical obesity prevention neurocognitive development evidence healthy behaviors could promote inform future interventions