Whole and refined grains consumption and social interaction in children: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Social interaction is fundamental to a child's mental health and development. While diet is a known modulator of brain function, the specific roles of refined versus whole grain intake on social behaviors in children are not well understood. This study aimed to investigate association between refined and whole grain consumption and social interaction scores among Iranian children. METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited 313 children aged 7-13 years from Kashan, Iran. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated 168-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Social interaction was evaluated using the 40-item Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ), where higher scores indicate greater difficulties with communication. Multivariable linear regression models were used to assess association between grain intake and SCQ scores, adjusting for a comprehensive set of demographics, socioeconomic, anthropometric, and dietary confounders. RESULTS: In the fully adjusted model, total refined grains intake was significantly associated with higher SCQ scores (β‌: 0.007, 95% CI: 0.005, 0.009; P < 0.001). Conversely, total whole grain was associated with lower SCQ scores (β‌: -0.006, 95% CI: -0.009, -0.002; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In this study, higher intake of refined grains was associated with poorer social interaction, while greater consumption of whole grains was associated with more favorable social behaviors in Iranian children. Future longitudinal and interventional studies are required to clarify the causal relationship between grain quality and social interaction in children of different countries.