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Food and Behaviour Research
Mothers’ Nutrition, Babies' Brains & Lifelong Mental Health
Health experts & researchers across numerous fields urge policymakers to stop ignoring nutrition, particularly when it comes to brain health.
In this recorded webinar and Q&A FAB Research experts argue that to protect the physical & mental health of future generations, governments and guidelines must recognise the fundamental influence of diet on health, and take effective action.
Of utmost importance is the nutrition of the mother (and the father), even before conception.
Pregnancy and early life offer a unique window of opportunity to protect the wellbeing of both mother and child, not only in a physical sense (e.g. preventing low birth weight & prematurity), but also for the child's future mental health and development.
Our four expert speakers Professor Michael Crawford, Professor John Stein, Dr Joseph Hibbeln and Dr Alex Richardson discuss this timely topic, where you will learn about:
- How early life nutrition shapes brain development and function for life
- The essential nutrients that many mothers-to-be are lacking
- How improving maternal nutrition can reduce prematurity and low birthweight
- Why current dietary advice is (inadvertently) harming children’s brain health
- Why the current ‘mental health crisis’ cannot be solved without addressing nutrition
The full video recording of this FAB Research Live Webinar and Q&A event - together with downloadable handouts - is available FREE to FAB Associates (for other benefits of joining FAB as an Associate member - see HERE).
Alternatively, this – and other individual FAB Webinars – are available to access on a standalone basis.
Feedback about this webinar from attendees
"FAB is an important source of nutritional education and should be advising the health and educational branches of the government."
"As someone who knew very little about the subject beforehand, I found this an extremely interesting, informative and convincing webinar. The in-depth knowledge of all the speakers (and their ability to cite relevant research off the tops of their heads) was immensely impressive. As was the fact that, on the whole, even I could understand it!"
"Having studied this area of nutrition and the myriad benefits of nutrients and especially the fatty acids, the speakers at FAB Research are nothing short of heroes in my mind."
Watch these short clips from each of our speakers
Speakers
Professor Michael A Crawford
PhD, FRSB, FRCPath
Professor Crawford is a pioneer in human nutrition research and a world-leading authority in the field of fatty acids and lipids in particular, their role in human brain development and evolution, and the implications of maternal nutrition for mental health across the lifespan.
Professor John Stein
FRCP, FMed. Sci
Emeritus Professor at the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, and Senior Research Fellow of Magdalen College, University of Oxford.
Dr Joseph R Hibbeln
(CAPT, USPH Ret.)
Neuroscientist & nutritional psychiatrist
World-renowned for his pioneering research on the importance of omega-3 fatty acids for depression and other mental conditions, and for maternal health and children's brain development
Dr Alex Richardson
DPhil (Oxon), PGCE, FRSA
World-renowned researcher, educator, speaker and published author; and Founder Director of the UK-based charity, Food and Behaviour (FAB) Research.
Hazel De Maeijer, ANutr
Nutritionist, MSc, BSc, GMBPsS
FAB Communications Officer and Volunteer Co-Ordinator
Bringing experience as a Learning Support Practitioner for students with special educational needs, and a personal and professional interest in ADHD, Autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions, as well as emotional regulation and executive function
Learn more about Pregnancy and Early Life in these recent articles
Preterm birth is associated with an increased risk for: depression & other psychiatric disorders developmental conditions e.g. ADHD cognitive impairment breathing problems feeding difficulties cerebral palsy vision problems hearing problems Preterm birth is the leading cause of death in children under the age of 5 years globally. Preterm birth impacts babies, mothers & families internationally
Nutrients obtained from the mother directly impact the developing brain, shaping its form and function - with lifelong consequences for the child.
Why Nutrition and Diet Matter Food and diet can affect children's mood, behaviour and ability to learn
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Important Notice:
Medical opinion and guidance should always be sought for any symptoms that might possibly reflect a known or suspected disease, disorder or medical condition. Information provided on this website (or by FAB Research via any other means) does not in any way constitute advice on the treatment of any medical condition formally diagnosed or otherwise.